Rare & Scarce Birds in Britain & Ireland in 2012

Well,
we are at the halfway stage in 2012, and no less than 384 species have been
recorded in Britain and Ireland this
year. It has also been the wettest spring on record, since at least 1910, most
likely contributing to what will become one of the worst breeding seasons ever
for birds in modern times.

Conversely,
for listing birders however, it has been an exciting and lively six months, the
first winter period producing both long-staying Common Yellowthroat and
Dark-eyed Junco to join the overwintering Northern
Waterthrush as well as an easy male Spanish Sparrow in residence.
Both Western Sandpiper and Greater Yellowlegs gave themselves up with
protracted stays, and the first twitchable UK Thayer’s Gull was well-seen in
early spring. Spring proper was dominated by poor weather but high points
included a Cream-coloured Courser and Western Orphean Warbler and both excellent
performing European Roller and Little Swift towards the end.

White-billed Diver: In Shetland, where
this species predominates in terms of its UK occurrences, singles were seen in
South Nesting Bay, Kirkabister, on 8 & 22 January and in Bluemull Sound on
10 & 24 January and throughout February and March to 6th April,
whilst in Orkney, singles were off Burray on 13th January, and Cara,
South Ronaldsay, on 5th February. March often sees a bit of an
influx and this year moulting adults were off Portsoy Harbour (Aberdeenshire)
on 17th-19th and North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 27th,
whilst at the regular staging site off the extreme NW tip of Lewis (Outer
Hebrides), up to 3 were sighted during 22nd-26th, with 2
on 9th-10th & 23rd April.

In
fact, April saw a welcome flourish in records with the aforementioned Portsoy
adult remaining until 29th and another regular adult appearing off
Burghead Maltings (Moray) on 12th. This bird continued to show daily
until 8th May and was joined by a second breeding-plumaged adult from
19th-23rd April & 3rd May. In Orkney,
single adults were off Papa Westray on 27th April and in WidewallBay,
South Ronaldsay, on 29th, with two being seen off Rerwick Head on 29th
April and off North Ronaldsay on 30th
April. May saw singles off West Burra
(Shetland) on 19th and Sumburgh Head (Shetland) on 28th.
With an adult off Evie (Orkney) from late May until 3rd June and a
first-summer off Brough Lodge, Fetlar (Shetland), on 10th-11th
June.

Black-browed Albatross: Off Ireland, an
immature was seen ‘at sea’, 184 miles SW of Mizen Head (CountyCork)
on 29th February. What may have been the same immature was seen
several times in the mid English Channel
during the second half of June, being photographed from a fishing boast just 30
nautical miles south of Portland Bill (Dorset) on 17th June.

Cory’s Shearwater: In Kent,
one flew east past Dungeness on 29th April.

North Atlantic Little Shearwater: One was seen early
morning off Berry Head, Brixham (South Devon),
on 7th June. Its visit coincided with that of a major displacement
of Atlantic seabirds, caused by a very deep and unseasonal low pressure system,
involving unprecedented numbers of Pomarine Skuas and Storm Petrels.

Wilson’s
Storm Petrel:
The first of the summer season, typically in the Western Approaches off Scilly,
appeared 5 miles south of St Mary’s on 13th June.

Leach’s Petrel: During some
exceptional weather for spring, storm-blown singles were seen flying past Spurn
(East Yorks) and Sheringham (Norfolk)
on 15th May.

Little Bittern: In Pembrokeshire,
a first-summer male was seen at Teifi Marshes, Cilgerran, on 19th-20th
April. Much later in the summer, a first-summer female appeared on the River
Colne at Stocker’s Lake, Rickmansworth
(Herts), showing well from 10th-17th June. It reappeared
briefly on the River Chess, Chenies Bottom (Bucks), on 21st.

Cattle Egret: Three wintering
birds remained in residence throughout January, with singles at Tophill Low NR
and Hempholme (East Yorks) until 1st February, near WarblingtonChurch
(Hampshire) until 11th February and at HillsboroughLake in CountyDown
until 25th March. One was then seen at Seaford (East
Sussex) on 7th February before one reappeared in the
Lydney area (Gloucs) from 15th February until at least 27th
April.

In
March, singles were at Kingston Maurward, near Dorchester (Dorset) on 11th-22nd
and at Swineham Point, Wareham, on 16th and in Lytchett Bay, Poole
Harbour, from 24th March to 13th April, Brading Marsh
(Isle of Wight) on 5th & 15th, flying north over
Frinton-on-Sea (Essex) on 11th, at Hill Farm, Theale (Berks) from 18th
until 3rd May and at Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham (Devon), on 27th
and nearby Powderham Lake on 1st April, whilst in April, singles
were at Chigborough Lakes, near Maldon (Essex), on 6th-15th,
Walmsley Sanctuary (Cornwall) on 6th-30th, at both
Snettisham RSPB and Burnham Overy Marshes (North Norfolk) on 25th
and at Pevensey Levels (East Sussex) on 28th.

In
Ireland in April, two were
at Tintern Abbey, BannowBay (CountyWexford) from 9th-16th,
with one lingering until 21st.

In
May, singles were noted at Earls Barton (Northants) on 1st-5th
before moving to Manor Farm and Old Wolverton (North Bucks) on 19th-21st
and in ChristchurchHarbour (Dorset) on 5th-6th,
whilst in Ireland, one
remained near Bantry (CountyCork) until 23rd.

Great White Egret: the increase in
this species continues with the first breeding attempt successful and no less
than 25 individuals overwintering. At Shapwick Heath NNR (Somerset), no less than 8 different
individuals were roosting together in February, this culminating in a pair
fledging three young in June.

Black-crowned Night Heron: an interesting January
record involved a metal-ringed adult at Atherstone (Warks) that had been
hatched in captivity at Burger’s Zoo in Holland
on 18th April 2009. It had been subsequently transferred to Twycross
Zoo in Leicestershire on 18th October 2009, from where it had
escaped in December 2011.

High
pressure and warm southerly winds saw a major arrival of Iberian-bound birds in
March, with an adult commuting between Kenidjack Valley and Polgigga (Cornwall)
from 12th April until 2nd May (and seen again on 15th
April), an adult at Consols Pond, St Ives (Cornwall), from 17th-25th
(then over the Hayle Estuary on 29th) and again on 1st-3rd
April, three adults and a first-summer in a garden at Woolacombe (North Devon)
on 12th-20th, an adult at Halsinger Down, Barnstaple
(North Devon) on 13th, an adult at Lower Yelland Farm (North Devon)
on 25th and another at Velator NR, Wrafton (North Devon) on 26th.
In May, an adult was seen at Flamborough Head (East Yorks) on 7th-14th,
with a first-summer at Ilfracombe (Devon) on 21st and an adult on
the Arun Brooks between Amberley and Pulborough (West
Sussex) from 15th-23rd. June saw yet more
arrivals, with a popular first-summer roosting daily on a fishing pit at Lower
Pennington Marshes (Hants) from 2nd-21st and an adult on
Holy Island (Northumberland) on 25th June. In Shetland, the wing of
a first-summer was found at Sand Voe on 28th June.

In
Ireland, an adult was at
Skibbereen (CountyCork) from 30th
March until 8th April.

Purple Heron: much scarcer of
late but in early spring, singles appeared at Treledydd-fawr, near St David’s
(Pembs), on 27th March, and on the River Otter near Buddleigh
Salterton (South Devon) from 3rd-10th April, whilst in
May, an adult was at Holkham Freshmarsh (Norfolk) on 4th-6th
and a further bird on Tresco (Scilly) on 19th. In June, a
first-summer at Severalls Reedbed, Church Norton, Pagham Harbour (West Sussex)
on 4th moved to Denge Marsh, Dungeness RSPB (Kent) from 5th-14th,
whilst a summer-plumaged adult visited the River Stour Water Meadows, Stodmarsh
NNR (Kent), on 29th-30th.

In
Ireland, singles were at
Blackditch NR, near Newcastle (CountyWicklow)
from 23rd March until 3rd April, near Bunmahon (CountyWaterford)
from 27th March until 27th April and at Tacumshin (CountyWexford)
on 4th-5th May.

Squacco Heron: In Avon and Somerset, a confiding adult was at ChewValleyLake
on 2nd-5th May and at nearby BlagdonLake
on 6th-17th May, whilst Dungeness RSPB Reserve (Kent)
notched up yet another record of this species with a first-summer at Denge
Marsh on 30th May. One then visited a garden pond on the Lizard (Cornwall) on 7th-9th June, followed
by singles at Seaford (East Sussex) on 21st June and Welney WWT (Norfolk) on 30th-31st
June.

White Stork: with so many
escapes and introduction birds around, this species is difficult to review, but
an adult that lingered in Fife until 16th January, travelled south
through Northumberland and East Yorkshire to reach North Lincolnshire in late
January was most likely a natural vagrant. After leaving the Horncastle area on
7th February, it took Kirkby-on-Bain landfill site to its liking,
and remained there until 3rd March. There was then the usual early
spring scattering of sightings with the first over Redruth (Cornwall)
on 22nd March, followed by another over Wincanton (Somerset) on 25th March.

An
unprecedented flock of 9 was discovered by a farmer at Abberley (Worcs) on 17th
April, six of them touring the North Wales coastline on 22nd-23rd
before pitching up in Oxfordshire at Standlake Common from 25th-30th.
Sadly, one then died after flying into power lines, but the surviving 5 then
visited West Sussex on 2nd-3rd
May, Hampshire on 4th and Dorset on 5th-6th.
An additional party of 3 were seen over Broughton Down (Somerset)
on 17th May and Dawlish Warren (Devon)
on 21st May. The five then became four, all attempting to fly south
out to sea at Portland Bill (Dorset) on 23rd May but quickly
returning. They were then seen in Somerset on 24th,
Devon on 25th and incredibly over Lakenheath RSPB (Suffolk) on 28th. A further two
were also seen near Appledore (Kent) on 11th-13th May and
also toured the SouthCoast up until 16th.

By
June 2012, the four were in South Yorkshire and over Redmires Reservoir on 2nd,
before drifting over Titchwell (Norfolk) on 4th and ending up at
Dingestow (Gwent) from 6th-9th. They then returned north
to wander once more along the North Welsh coastline on 10th, before
flying all the way back again to be at Curry Moor (Somerset) on 13th-18th.
Incredibly, they were back over PenrhynBay (Clwyd) on 19th,
before moving to Bamford (Derbyshire) on 28th. Meanwhile, the flock
of 3 last reported in South Devon on 21st May, lingered near Bognor
Regis (West Sussex) from 20th-24th June, before being
seen over Cissbury Ring on 25th, Angmering on 28th,
Pulborough Brooks RSPB on 29th and back at Pagham Harbour on 30th.

Northern Bald Ibis: An intriguing
record concerned that of an unringed adult in Staffordshire from mid May
relocating to Cheshire
then Greater Manchester in June. It had presumably escaped from a collection in
the Midlands. A reintroduction programme is
still ongoing in Spain.

Glossy Ibis: A West Coast
influx in mid-January contributed to about 65 birds being logged that month,
including a single flock of 23 at Carew (Pembrokeshire) from 29th.
In addition to singles in Scilly, Cornwall and
Dorset at the beginning of January, further singles were noted at Sandbach
Flashes (Cheshire) from 7th, St
Helens (Isle of Wight) on 29th-31st
and at Fingringhoe Wick EWT (Essex) from 1st. Furthermore, two were
seen in Lancashire (including a very long-stayer at Leighton Moss RSPB) and at
Stodmarsh NNR (Kent), whilst 5 different birds were seen in Devon and 32 were
seen in South Wales, including two adults and an immature at Marloes Mere
(Pembs) from 17th. In Scotland,
a party of 5 visited Bay of Laig, in extreme NW Eigg (Highland) from 20th, increasing to
7 on 27th. They were last reported on 14th February.

Some
55 continued into February including the 23 at Carew until 2nd; 13
of these then lingered until 12th, with 2 at Dowrog Common, St David’s
(Pembs) on 1st and an additional 3 still at Marloes Mere all month.
In fact, these 3 became a permanent feature until 8th June, when two
moved SE to Steart (Somerset)
on 9th. Elsewhere, ones and twos were seen throughout the UK, perhaps most popular being up to 5 that
visited Halvergate Marshes (Norfolk)
from 23rd February until 27th March. Remarkably, only next day, 4 of
this group had completed a mammoth 350 mile journey to Germany.

At
least 32 lingered into March including two in Scotland (at Mersehead RSPB
Reserve, D & G, on 5th and on North Uist from 23rd-31st),
the long-staying immature at Saltholme Pools RSPB (Cleveland), the
Spanish-ringed first-year at Great Baddow and Maldon (Essex) and another first-year
at Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk), whilst in April, 1-2 continued in the Weymouth area
(Dorset) and 3 migrated north from Campfield Marsh RSPB (Cumbria) on 28th
to Donmouth and Loch of Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire) on 29th-30th.

There
were still at least 15 lingering into May, with two in the PaghamHarbour
area (West Sussex) on 5th-20th and long-staying
individuals in Cleveland, Devon, Dorset,
Hampshire, Somerset, Lancashire and Essex. Two were again at Minsmere Levels (Suffolk) from 29th May until at least late
June, whilst up to 4 remained in Wales
(including a bird that visited Malltraeth RSPB, Anglesey, on 6th
& 17th) and the three were in Scotland
(at Strathbeg until 2nd before visiting Drums and Newburgh on 5th). A further bird
was at Barassie (Ayrshire) on 5th May.

In
June, two lingered at Minsmere RSPB all month, with an immature still at
Marloes Mere and another roaming between Sussex and Hampshire.

Many
individuals were ringed and traced back to the Coto Donana in southern Spain,
where the breeding population there has increased dramatically in recent years.

The
winter influx was also mirrored in Ireland,
with 1-2 seen at several sites in January, 3 at Termoncarragh Lough on The
Mullet (CountyMayo) on 12th-13th,
5 at Dungarvan (Co. Waterford) on 15th and 5 at Skibbereen (Co. Cork
on 28th. At least 3 continued throughout February, with singles at
Timoleague (CountyCork) from 14th March until 28th
April, Moylough (CountyGalway) from 14th
March until 23rd April. Numbers increased again in May when of 10
reported, three were in CountyCork and up to 4 graced Tacumshin Marsh (CountyWexford).
One remained at Upper Lough Erne (CountyFermanagh) on at least 13th-19th
June.

Sacred Ibis: Three individuals,
two of which were ringed, appeared at Denaby Ings (South Yorks) on 24th-25th
March and then Moore NR (Cheshire)
on 25th March and had presumably escaped from a local collection.
They then visited various sites in the Midlands and along the east coast in
April before two then moved to Northumberland and one made a protracted stay in
North Norfolk in May-June.

Lesser White-fronted Goose: an adult perhaps
of genuine origin remained with up to 104 Taiga Bean Geese in the YareValley
at Buckenham Carrs and Cantley (Norfolk)
until 17th February. It was
almost certainly the same adult as present from 13th December 2010
until 24th January 2011 – at that time, seemingly paired up with one
of the Taiga Beans !

LWFG
is another problematical species to assess with at any given time, up to 15
escaped adults on the loose in the UK.

Snow Goose: The adult white
morph remained with Pink-footed Geese near Greenloaning (Perth & Kinross)
from 1st-9th January before moving to Carnwath (Clyde) on 15th-16th, whilst another
visited Loch Evelix, Dornoch (Sutherland) with Greylag Geese on 20th
January. A blue morph was with Greenland White-fronted Geese on Tiree (Argyll)
on 16th-26th January and again on 22nd-27th
March. In Ireland, a blue
morph remained at Lough MacNean (CountyFermanagh) until 21st March,
and the adult white morph lingered at Big Isle (CountyDonegal)
until at least 10th February.

At
the end of March and in early April, a flock of up to 31 Snow Geese was seen at
various sites along the south coast, staging as often, on the East Sussex/Kent
border at Scotney GP. This 31 was then followed by a party of 6, initially
arriving from the sea at Seaford Head (East Sussex).
They much later flew north over East Newton (East Yorks)
on 20th April and St Abb’s Head (Borders) next day before settling
at Wasbister (Orkney) on 22nd-23rd April. Intriguingly,
the darvic-ringed bird amongst them showed that they originated from the
non-naturalised population near Dusseldorf in Germany.
Although Oxfordshire is often cited as the origin of some of our large flocks
of Snow Geese, this does now prove that Germany
and Holland self-sustaining
populations offer an alternative origin.

Ross’s Snow Goose: up to four
different adults accompanied the huge and ever-increasing number of wintering
Pink-footed Geese in North Norfolk throughout
January, 3 of them being seen at Holkham Freshmarsh during 6th-11th.
The two Docking area adults were last reported on 12th February,
whilst the Halvergate Marshes adult lingered until early March and that regular
adult at Holkham roosted regularly until 29th February.An adult
considered to be of more dubious origin remained with the Barnacle Geese on the
Solway Firth, being seen near Bowness-on-Solway (Cumbria) from 1st
January until 12th February before moving to Caerlaverock WWT (D
& G) on 15th-24th February, Mersehead RSPB until 6th
March and to Rockcliffe Marsh (Cumbria) from 1st-9th
April. By February’s end, there was some hint of return movement, with an adult
with Pink-feet in the East Chevington (Northumberland) area from 25th February
to 11th March, whilst further singles staged off on their northward
journey at Carnwarth (Clyde) from 14th-25th
March, Rattray Head (Aberdeenshire) on 1st-4th April and
near Forres (Moray) on 24th-28th April..

Small Canada Goose and
considered vagrant Greater Canada
Geese: at
least 5 vagrant birds were seen in January, including an interior near Fleetwood (Lancs) until 9th and later at
Caerlaverock WWT (D & G) until 15th March and up to 4 hutchinsii on Islay
(Argyll). A further hutchinsii
lingered with Barnacle Geese on Berneray and North Uist (Outer
Hebrides) from 15th-21st April.

In
addition, two different presumed vagrant
hutcjinsii were recorded much further south than normal, with a
first-winter at Torr Reservoir (Somerset) from 1st
January until mid March, moving to ChewValley lake (Avon)
on 25th-28th March & 15th April and
another at Slimbridge WWT (Gloucs) from 25th March to 10th
April.

In
Ireland, 3 hutchinsii were with Barnacle Geese in
the Lissadell area (CountySligo) until at least mid
March.

Richardson’s
Cackling Geese (hutchinsii) winter in
Texas and northern Mexico but autumn 2011 saw larger numbers than usual winter
over a thousand miles away in NE Canada. There were also abnormal numbers of
Snow Geese lingering there and with 23 North American birds of 11 species alone
at ChewValleyLake,
the likelihood that the Somerset/Avon and Gwent bird of November 2011 were
displaced natural vagrants.

Red-breasted Goose: single
first-winters of presumably wild origin were present with Dark-bellied Brent
Geese on the Exe Estuary (South Devon) and at Old Hall Marshes RSPB (Essex)
throughout January, whilst an additional first-winter consorted with Barnacle
Geese on the Solway Firth visiting Cardurnock (Cumbria) on 22nd-23rd
January before moving to Caerlaverock WWT (Dumfries & Galloway) on 25th
and then Southerness Point until at least 1st May.

The
Exe Estuary bird lingered in South Devon until 19th February before
moving to Keyhaven Marshes (Hants) on 25th-26th then
Needs Ore Point (Hants) until 20th March whilst that in Essex frequented the assorted creeks and marshes until 27th
March. An adult was a new discovery on the River Deben north of Felixstowe
Ferry (Suffolk)
on 10th February, this bird lingering with Dark-bellied Brents until
9th March, whilst one appeared with Pink-footed Geese near Braco
(Perth & Kinross) on 31st March and was possibly that near Brora
(Sutherland) on 24th-28th April.

American Black Duck: In Ireland, the resident drake was reported from
Sruhill Lough, AchillIsland (CountyMayo) intermittently
during January to March.

American Wigeon: at least 5
individuals remained from 2011 with single wintering drakes at Dawlish Warren
NNR (South Devon) (until 19th March), Anglers Country Park, Wintersett
(West Yorks) (until 5th March), Lochmaben (D & G) (until 5th
April) and at Loch Bee, South Uist (Outer Hebrides) (until 15th
February and joined by a second on 19th January) and a female at
Bodenham Lake (Herefordshire) (until 28th February). Additional
drakes appeared at Longton (Lancs) on 7th-8th January,
Coombe Hill Meadows NR (Gloucs) on 12th-16th January,
Loch of Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire) on 16th January (and again on
5th-10th February), North Warren RSPB (Suffolk)
on 1st-4th February, Bay
of Suckquoy (Orkney) on 19th
February to 25th March, Marlingford (Norfolk)
on 1st-9th March and on North
Ronaldsay (Orkney) from 14th-16th May. A
pair was then discovered at Gutcher, Yell (Shetland), on 24th May,
quickly relocating further north at Haroldswick, Unst, until 26th,
whilst what was presumably February’s drake returned to Strathbeg RSPB on 17th-26th
June.

In
Ireland, a drake was at
Rahasane Turlough NR (CountyGalway) from 8th January until at least 29th
March, with another at Portmore Lough (CountyAntrim)
from 7th-11th April.

Falcated Duck: A drake was with
Eurasian Wigeon at Cross Lough, on the Mullet (CountyMayo) from 2nd-11th
April, representing the first record for Ireland of this resplendent
wildfowl.

Blue-winged Teal: a juvenile drake
remained at LonghamLakes, Bournemouth (Dorset) until 14th
January, with another on Lower Moors, St Mary’s (Scilly) until 4th
March and a further juvenile at Loch Stiapavat, Lewis (Outer
Hebrides) from 13th-19th January. An adult
drake, perhaps a regular bird, appeared at ThreaveCastle, Castle Douglas (D & G) on
4th-14th February, with a female at Walmsley Sanctuary,
Wadebridge (Cornwall), from 18th
March until 4th May and a further drake at Ham Walls RSPB (Somerset) from 11th-18th
April. The Scottish drake was then relocated at Glengavel Water, near Drumclog
(Clyde) on 1st-16th April, before moving to Loch Leven
(Perth & Kinross) on 22nd-23rd April and Bridgend
Farm Pools, near Kirkintilloch (Clyde) from 6th-22nd
May.

In
Ireland, the long-staying
adult female remained on NorthBullIsland
(CountyDublin)
until at least 7th January (moving to the Skerries on 28th-30th
March), whilst a drake visited Pat Reddan’s Lake, Borriskane (CountyTipperary)
on 12th-14th March and an eclipse drake was at Tacumshin
(CountyWexford) from 30th June into
July.

Ring-necked Duck: Single drakes were
present at Par Beach Pool, St Austell (Cornwall)
all January and CowpenBewleyLake
(Cleveland) all
January, with two first-winter drakes at Chard Junction GP (Dorset) until early
April. Single females were seen at Hatfield Moors, near Doncaster (South Yorks)
from 3rd January until 19th February, Ranworth Broad (Norfolk) from
1st January until 14th February (then at Wroxham Broad on
29th-30th April) and on Coot Loch, Benbecula (Outer
Hebrides) from 11th February until 19th April.

As
spring approached, migrant drakes appeared at Shearman’s Wath (Lincs) from 9th-12th
April, Barton Broad (Norfolk) on 16th April, Loch Kinord
(Aberdeenshire) (2 birds) on 7th April, Loch of Skene
(Aberdeenshire) (same two birds) on 28th April and West Ashby
(Lincs) on 7th-11th May, with summering drakes at
Frodsham Marsh (Cheshire) on 4th-10th June, Holme
Pierrepont (Notts) on 9th-10th June and at Loch
Finlaggan, Islay (Argyll), on 12th-26th June.

Ferruginous Duck: A drake remained
at IvyLake, Blashford GP (Hants) until 27th
January, with a different drake at Woolhampton GP (Berks) on 14th-15th
January and from 4th-13th February, subsequently located
at Bray GP, Maidenhead (Berks) from 16th-23rd February. A
female also visited Paxton Pits NR (Cambs) on 7th-9th
January, with a drake of unknown origin commuting between Ranworth Broad and
Whitlingham CP (Norfolk)
from 13th-29th January. A further drake reached WimbleballLake
(Somerset) on 5th-13th
February with females at Linford NR (North Bucks) on 11th-12th
March, Strumpshaw Fen RSPB (Norfolk) on 3rd
April, Lisvane Reservoir, Cardiff
(Glamorgan) on 6th-7th April and at Steeple Langford
(Wilts) on 11th-15th April..

In
Ireland, a drake was at
Mullaghmore Lough (CountyMonaghan) on 14th January before being
shot, with another at OxfordIsland (CountyArmagh) on 28th.

Lesser Scaup: the wintering
females remained at Marden Quarry (Northumberland) until 23rd
January and Slimbridge WWT (Gloucs) until 4th April respectively,
with the drake in CardiffBay and environs (South Wales)
until 28th April. A female was also discovered at Loch of Skene
(Aberdeenshire) on 6th-9th January, with a first-winter
male on Dozmary Pool and SiblybackLake, Bodmin Moor (Cornwall)
from 15th January to 17th February and another
first-winter male at NewquayBoatingLake
(Cornwall) on 19th-21st
February and latterly at ChewValleyLake
(Avon) on 23rd February and again
from 11th-23rd March. In northern Scotland, the regularly wintering drake was
reported from St John’s Loch, near Thurso (Caithness) from 21st February until at least 11th
May.

In
Ireland, single drakes were
on Lough Sheelin (CountyCavan) from 18th January until 19th
February and Lough Gill, Castlegregory (CountyKerry)
from 1st January until at least 17th February.

Dresser’s Eider: In County Donegal,
an adult drake showing characters of this North American form was seen off the
Isle of Doagh, Ballyliffin, on 3rd June and off the west side of
Malin Head on 13th-16th June.

King Eider: an adult drake
flew past Chanonry Point (Highland) on 10th
January followed by singles in BurgheadBay (Moray) on 1st
March and near Brora in the Dornoch Firth (Sutherland) on 24th
March. From 27th March, the regular drake returned for a third
successive spring to the Ythan Estuary (Aberdeenshire), where it was most
easily located from Inches Point, whilst on 21st April, a female was
photographed about a mile offshore from a boat in the Wash off Leverton (Lincs). Another female
was discovered at Rubha Ardvule, South Uist (Outer
Hebrides) on 1st May, whilst meanwhile the Ythan drake
relocated to Murcar late in the month to commence its annual moult. It remained
there into July.

In
Ireland, a first-winter
female was off Annagh Head (CountyMayo) on 1st March, with a first-summer
drake off Portnoo (CountyDonegal) on 18th-19th
May.

North American Black Scoter: In Aberdeenshire,
a first-summer drake was off Murcar Golf Links at Blackdog from 14th
June into July.

Surf Scoter: a first-winter
drake remained off Penzance (Cornwall) until 9th
April, whilst the female present for its fourth consecutive winter lingered off
Dawlish Warren (Devon) until 23rd
February. In North Wales, three drakes were
identified amongst several thousand offshore scoter off Llandullas (Clwyd) on
14th-28th January and these remained but were rarely seen
until at least early April, with a female showing well near Morfa Nefyn from 24th
January until 5th April. Meanwhile, in Scotland,
a regular adult drake was in LargoBay (Fife) on 13th-15th January
and throughout March and April, with single drakes off Buckhaven (Fife) on 18th
February, Portmahomack (Highland)
on 18th-21st April, Blackdog Rocks (Aberdeenshire) on 29th
April and off Rerwick Head (Orkney) on 19th-21st April.

The
Largo drake moved south across the Forth in May to be seen off Gosford Bay
(Lothian) from 8th-20th, whilst two drakes were in the
Sound of Barra (Outer Hebrides) on 15th May and a first-summer drake
was in Loch Gairloch (Highland) on 30th May. Midsummer saw the
annual build up in numbers of moulting scoter off Blackdog and Murcar Golf
Links (Aberdeenshire), this year involving at least 6 different Surf Scoters
(four drakes and two females) from 6th June. Further north in
Orkney, a female was in EchnalochBay, Burray, from 10th-19th
June.

A
further 9 were reported from Ireland
in January, including 3 off Lahinch (CountyClare) on 23rd, with a
first-winter drake being seen off Garretstown (CountyCork)
until 22nd April.

Bufflehead: In Cornwall, the juvenile male
remained on the Loe Pool, Helston until 4th March. It made a brief
excursion to Drift Reservoir on 3rd January and also visited
Trelusback, near Redruth, on 4th March before departing, perhaps to Holland in April. What
was then most likely the same bird then appeared in North
Lincolnshire on 27th April, spending a few hours late
afternoon at Covenham Reservoir near Louth.

Hooded Merganser: in addition to the
ever-present drake of unknown origin at Radipole Lake RSPB (Dorset), a female
was present at Whetstead GP, Tonbridge (Kent), intermittently from 10th
February until 6th March.

Black Kite: One flew north
over Wallington (London)
on 30th March spearheading a somewhat typical scattering of records
in April and May, virtually all of which were brief flyovers. More unusual was
one over Boddam and Virkie (Shetland) on 7th April. By June, sightings
were scarce, but did include a first-summer in the Aldbrough area (East Yorks) on 7th and a long-staying bird
wandering Shetland between 18th & 27th June.

In
Ireland, an adult visited
Vartry Reservoir, Roundwood (CountyWicklow) on 24th March, followed by
singles in May at Galley Head (CountyCork) on 1st and Lady’s IslandLake
(CountyWexford) on 15th.

White-tailed Sea Eagle: a rather scruffy,
heavily moulting second-winter flew NE over East Hyde (Beds) on 10th
February and over Rye Meads RSPB (Herts) next day before moving to Kent, where
it flew in off the sea over Sheppey later on 11th, roosted in a tree
near Botolph’s Bridge, Hythe, on 14th and did the same for over
three hours on Romney Marsh near Brookland (East Sussex) on 16th. It
was seen again briefly at Saltwood (Kent) on 19th before moving and
roosting overnight at Caister-on-Sea (Norfolk)
on 21st-22nd February.

This
species goes from strength to strength on the near Continent and is also
increasing in Poland, Germany and
European Russia.

Pallid Harrier: Following an
unprecedented autumn for this species in NW Europe, a juvenile male continued
to linger in Ireland at
Lough Corrib (CountyGalway) until 2nd
April. This was followed by a migrant adult male photographed at Slimbridge WWT
(Gloucs) on 3rd April and a juvenile through Belvide Reservoir
(Staffs) on 14th April. There was then a marked influx in May, with
a juvenile male touring the north Norfolk coast
on 5th, a juvenile at Waxham (Norfolk)
on 9th, a juvenile near Skegness (Lincs) on 8th and over
Donna Nook (Lincs) on 11th, a juvenile through Spurn (East Yorks) on 6th and an adult male over Long
Buckby (Northants) on 28th. Just a single bird lingered: a juvenile
in the Patrington Haven area (East Yorks) from
14th-18th May.

Rough-legged Buzzard: There was a good
scattering of records in January to March involving about 25 birds, with Kent and East Anglia hosting the majority of
them, with up to 4 wintering at Holkham Freshmarsh and roosting at Wells and
East Hills. Further popular juveniles included singles at Burpham (West Sussex), Ouse Fen (Cambs), near Withern (Lincs) and
on Shetland at Laxobigging.

More
unusual was a wintering bird in Ireland:
near Kilcoole (CountyWicklow) from 5th
January to 27th February.

Red-footed Falcon: About a dozen were
reported in May and June, over half of them in East Anglia, including
well-watched birds at Jubilee River NR, Taplow (Bucks) on 21st-22nd,
Rockland Broad (Norfolk) on 29th-31st, Minsmere RSPB
(Suffolk) on 30th-31st, near Aberfeldy (Perth & Kinross)
from 30th May to 1st June, Willington GP (Derbyshire)
from 4th-10th June when found dead and Tealham Moor
(Somerset) from 4th-11th June and at Tophill Low NR (East
Yorks) on 13th-15th June.

Ireland saw an influx too,
with first-summers at Owenahincha (CountyCork) on 24th May,
Tacumshin (CountyWexford) from 25th May to 6th
June, Kilcolgan (CountyGalway) on 4th-5th June and in CountyAntrim
at SlemishMountain on 14th-18th
June and Montaigh’s Moss on 24th-27th June.

Gyrfalcon: in January, single
white morphs were seen near Stromness (Orkney) on 23rd and near
Blennerville (CountyKerry) on 15th, whilst in February, one
was at Malaclete, North Uist (Outer Hebrides)
on 27th. Later in spring, a white morph visited Benbecula (Outer Hebrides) on 6th April

Baillon’s Crake: The third for Ireland and the first in over 150 years there
afforded observers with outstandingly close views when it made landfall on GreatSalteeIsland (CountyWexford)
on 24th March.

Coinciding
with large numbers on the near continent, a singing male was then present at
Malltraeth Marsh RSPB (Anglesey) from 22nd
May until at least 5th June.

Black-winged Stilt: A bumper year. The
first, a male, appeared in Ireland
on 30th March – at TacumshinLake (CountyWexford).
It remained until 10th April before crossing the Irish Sea and moving
to Standlake NR (Oxfordshire) on 12th, Rutland Water (Leics) on 13th,
Willow Tree Fen, near Spalding (Lincs) on 14th-18th and
then Frampton Marsh RSPB (Lincs) from 19th until 18th May.

A
further first-summer male was then discovered at ChewValleyLake
(Avon) on 10th April before relocating to Radipole Lake RSPB
(Dorset) on 11th and Abbotsbury Swannery (Dorset) on 12th-18th,
whilst a pair appeared at Clayhanger Marsh (West Midlands)
on 19th, quickly moving north to Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve (Lancs)
on 20th. In Devon, three frequented sites both sides of the upper
Exe Estuary on 25th-27th April before two moved north to
Wrafton Ponds (North Devon) on 28th-29th and one moved
west to Walmsley Sanctuary (Cornwall)
from 28th until 4th May.

May
saw many more records and some duplication with singles on the Isle of May
(Fife) from 1st-4th, in Christchurch Harbour (Dorset) on
2nd, at various sites around the Exe Estuary (South Devon) from 5th-29th,
at Lodmoor RSPB (Dorset) on 24th-25th then Abbotsbury
Swannery on 24th-27th, at Newport Wetlands NR (Gwent) on
25th, Hodbarrow RSPB (Cumbria) on 28th, Shibdon Pond,
Blaydon (County Durham) on 29th and Fairburn Ings (West Yorks) on 30th-31st.
Additionally, a party of 4 was at Elmley Marshes RSPB (Kent) on 5th-6th
(two of which lingered there until 11th), two visited Minsmere RSPB
on 7th and in Cambridgeshire, a pair failed to breed at Upton Fen
and a first-summer male remained at Paxton Pits NR from 21st-24th.
A second pair also attempted to breed at Pennington Marshes (Hants), with a
third in Somerset.

A
first-summer female lingered into June in Norfolk, visiting Kelling Water
Meadows briefly on 6th before settling at Cley from 6th-10th
and then moving to Welney WWT on 13th-18th.

Cream-coloured Courser: Bird of the year,
certainly for me. A fabulous breeding-plumaged adult was discovered on 20th
May at Kington Golf Course, Bradnor Hill, in Herefordshire, where it afforded
stunning views for many hundreds of admirers for several days before flying off
west on Natch Day late morning on 23rd. It was the first ever to
reach Britain
in spring and only the 33rd overall and only the third twitchable
individual in over 30 years.

Black-winged Pratincole: one at Burton Mere
Wetlands RSPB (Cheshire)
on 3rd-4th May was unusually early for this eastern
vagrant.

Kentish Plover: In Wales, one was
at Ynyslas RSPB on 20th April, with a further eight migrants in May
– at Pegwell Bay (Kent) on 2nd, Ferrybridge, Portland Harbour
(Dorset) on 2nd-3rd, Rye Harbour NR (East Sussex) on 3rd-6th,
Hickling Broad (Norfolk) on 4th, Cley NWT (Norfolk) on 10th,
a female at Marazion Beach (Cornwall) on 9th-11th joined
by a male on 11th-12th and a male on Beal Sands, Holy
Island (Northumberland) on 15th-19th.

Greater Sand Plover: In the Outer
Hebrides, a female associating with Ringed Plovers visited StinkyBay,
Benbecula, on 8th-9th June. It represented only the 5th
for Scotland.

American Golden Plover: In North Cornwall, one visited Davidstow on 17th-19th
February. In June, singles were on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 3rd
and briefly at Landguard Common (Suffolk)
on 11th.

In
Ireland, single birds
visited Tacumshin (CountyWexford) on 20th April & 6th-20th
May, Reenroe, Waterville (CountyKerry), on 28th April to 1st
May, Old Head of Kinsale (CountyCork) on 17th May and Ballycotton (CountyCork)
on 22nd May.

Pacific Golden Plover: an adult in full
breeding plumage graced Cley NWT North Scrape and Eye Field (Norfolk)
from 22nd-27th June, whilst in Ireland,
one was on InishkeaIsland (CountyMayo) on 4th
June.

Western Sandpiper: In North Norfolk, the first-winter remained at Cley NWT
Reserve until 29th January, when it was believed to have moved on
with Dunlin following the harsh wintry conditions experienced on the reserve.
There is an outside chance that it was the bird found in Sweden in early
July.

Temminck’s Stint: Very unusually and
unseasonally, singles were seen in January at Rushy Common NR (Oxfordshire) on
19th-27th and on the Ouse Washes RSPB (Cambs) all month.
No more were then recorded until May, when about 80 appeared, followed by a
further 5 in June. A marked decline in numbers compared to recent years.

Pectoral Sandpiper: In the first case
of overwintering in Britain,
a confiding first-winter remained (and moulted) at Barassie (Ayrshire) until 16th
January, before moving to near Troon from 29th January until 12th
February and then returning to Dundonald Camp until 18th April

Later
in early spring, one appeared at Loch Gruinart RSPB, Islay
(Argyll), on 5th March, followed by singles at Stretton Sugwas GP
(Herefordshire) on 21st-23rd April and again at Gruinart
on 26th-27th April. May saw a further influx with singles
on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 5th & 15th, at
Exminster Marshes RSPB (Devon) on 9th & 29th, on
Tiree (Argyll) on 14th-16th, at Butt of Lewis (Outer
Hebrides) on 15th (and joined by a second bird on 16th),
Goldcliff NR (Gwent) on 16th, Buckenham Marshes RSPB (Norfolk) on 16th-19th,
Swillington Ings (West Yorks) on 27th and Loch of Harray (Orkney) on
27th. More followed in June with singles at Dawlish Warren NNR
(Devon) on 1st, Walney Island (Cumbria) on 5th, Loch of
Funzie, Fetlar (Shetland), on 14th & 29th and on
Tiree (Argyll) on 29th and two together at Beacon Ponds LNR, Kilnsea
(East Yorks) on 2nd.

In
Ireland, five appeared in
May at Kilcoole NR (CountyWicklow) on 15th-19th, two at
Lough Beg (CountyDerry) on 20th-21st, on InishkeaIslands
(CountyMayo)
on 25th and at Truska (CountyGalway) on 30th.
These were followed by four more in June including two at Tacumshin (CountyWexford)
on 4th-6th.

Broad-billed Sandpiper: In the Outer
Hebrides, an adult was at Loch Bee, South Uist, on 28th May. With
just one record, this was a very poor showing indeed for this Scandinavian
bog-nesting vagrant.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper: One visited the
Butt of Lewis (Outer Hebrides) on 27th May whilst what was probably
the same wandering individual visited TyninghameBay, Dunbar (Lothian) on 5th
June, North Somercotes (North Lincs) on 11th June and at Nosterfield
GP (North Yorks) on 15th June.

Wilson’s Snipe: On the Isles of
Scilly, last autumn’s first-winter reappeared on Lower Moors, St Mary’s,
briefly on 25th February.

Great Snipe: one was discovered
by a survey worker at West Sedgemoor RSPB (Somerset) on 25th May. An
exceptionally rare straggler in spring.

Long-billed Dowitcher: It was an
excellent winter for this Nearctic species with no less than 8 individuals to
be found on this side of the Atlantic, including a first-winter at Kidwelly
Quay (Carmarthenshire) (until at least 20th April), a first-winter
at Wigtown Harbour (D & G) (from 7th January to 8th
April) and two first-winters at Lodmoor RSPB (Dorset) from 2nd-12th
January. What may have been one of the latter reappeared at Lodmoor on 2nd
February before moving to The Fleet at Langton Herring on 3rd-4th,
then back again to Lodmoor on 5th March, before perhaps moving east
to Needs Ore Point (Hants) briefly; It was back at Abbotsbury Swannery (Dorset)
on 12th April. In Somerset,
a first-winter was at Greylake RSPB on 17th-18th March
before moving to the drained lagoon at Meare Heath, Shapwick, on 15th,
where it was joined back by a second bird from 20th. Both birds then
continued through April and until 2nd May. Also in May, single
summer-plumaged adults appeared at GreatLivermereLake
(Suffolk) on 4th-6th,
Hodbarrow RSPB Reserve (Cumbria)
on 9th-12th and at Saltholme RSPB (Cleveland) from 24th
May until 17th June.

Four
wintering birds in Ireland
included two first-winters at The Cull (CountyWexford) from 14th January until 15th
April and singles at the North Slob WR (CountyWexford) on 1st-8th
January, Fahamore (CountyKerry) on 13th-16th January, in
BannowBay
(CountyWexford)
from 28th April until 4th May and in Victoria Park, Belfast (CountyAntrim) on 9th
April. May saw further arrivals with singles at Lough Beg (CountyDerry)
on 3rd and at The Gearagh, Macroom (CountyCork)
on 18th.

Greater Yellowlegs: a first-winter,
previously present in Northumberland in the autumn of 2011, remained near Loch
Fleet (Sutherland) until 14th January, disappearing at the onset of
heavy snow and ice. It made a sudden reappearance in the Dornoch area on 20th
February before moving back to the Loch of Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire) on 3rd
March, where it continued to linger until 27th May. It also visited
the north end of the Ythan Estuary on 5th-12th and Loch of
Mey (Highland)
on 28th May.

Lesser Yellowlegs: In Somerset, a first-winter remained on the Brue Estuary at
Burnham-on-Sea until 4th February with another on the Tamar Estuary
at KingsmillLake
(Cornwall)
until 29th March. In Spring, one appeared at Hereford Quarry
(Herefordshire) on 20th May.

Spotted Sandpiper: The adult was at
Chew Valley lake (Avon) from 24th September 2011 until 26th
January and again intermittently from 12th-17th February
and throughout March to 21st April, whilst wintering first-years
were at Lyme Regis (Dorset) until 31st January and on the Plym
Estuary at Blaxton Meadows (Devon) until 29th January. A further
first-winter was then identified in ChristchurchHarbour (Dorset),
frequenting Stanpit Marsh from at least 1st February until 29th
March.

In
June, a first-summer with hardly any spots visited Scaling Dam Reservoir
(Cleveland) late evening on 18th before relocating briefly to
Hilfield Park Reservoir (Herts) on 24th.

In
Ireland, a summer-plumaged
adult was at Tacumshin (CountyWexford) on 11th-12th
May.

Grey Phalarope: No less than 10
were reported in January, with a confiding first-winter at Farmoor Reservoirs
(Oxfordshire) from 18th-28th. Later in June, a wonderful
female in full breeding plumage graced St John’s
Loch (Caithness) from at least 13th-24th.

Long-tailed Skua: An adult was again
on territory at East Burra (Shetland) on 12th-21st
May, with two flying NE over inland Drayton Bassett GP (Staffs) on 15th
May. A strong passage involving several thousand birds passed North Uist (Outer Hebrides) on just three days in May.

Laughing Gull: a first-winter was
near Dalton-in-Furness (Cumbria) from 17th-22nd
March, whilst an adult was reported at SevernBeach (Avon)
on 1st May.

Sabine’s Gull: In Ireland, an
adult was off CapeClearIsland
(CountyCork)
on 24th April, whilst following some seriously inclement weather
originating far offshore in the Atlantic, several were reported in June
including an adult off SevernBeach (Avon) on 9th.

Bonaparte’s Gull: Following a
first-winter at Loch Branahuie, Lewis (Outer Hebrides) on 20th
January, an adult appeared in CardiffBay (Glamorgan) on 22nd
January and was reported intermittently until 26th February, with a
first-winter at the same site from 17th-25th February.
This latter individual was then relocated on the River Severn at Newnham
(Gloucs) from 30th March to 4th April. In northern Scotland, a further adult was in the DunnetBay
area (Caithness) on 25th-26th February, whilst in March,
a first-winter flew past Newbiggin (Northumberland) on 5th and an
adult visited Stornoway, Lewis (Outer Hebrides)
on 10th. In Greater London, a first-winter was on the River Thames
off Crossness on 19th-30th May, where it was remarkably
joined by a first-summer on 26th-29th May – both birds
constituting the first records for the capital. In Shetland, an adult was at
Loch of Tingwall on 30th May.

In
Ireland, an adult remained at
Ballygally near Larne (CountyAntrim) until 11th April, with further
adults noted at Dun Laoghaire (CountyDublin) on 5th February and Tacumshin (CountyWexford)
on 25th February.

North American Herring Gull: In Ireland,
single juveniles were identified at Castletown Bearhaven (CountyCork) on 14th January and
at Poolbeg (CountyDublin) on 30th
January.

Kumlien’s Gull: an unprecedented
invasion took place in January with at least 65 being identified amongst the
750 Iceland Gulls that invaded during the month, the ScottishIslands and Ireland accounting for 85% of the
occurrencies. In February, a third-winter lingered at Hartlepool Headland
(Cleveland) on 4th-26th, whils a 2nd-winter
that frequented DoverHarbour (Kent)
was the most popular of several that reached the southern half of Britain during
the influx. As one would expect, the vast majority were juveniles.

Thayer’s Gull: In Ireland, a juvenile was at Enniskillen Landfill
(CountyFermanagh)
from 1st January until 7th February, whilst only the
second for Britain was
well-received and watched in fields near Elsham (North
Lincs) from 3rd until 18th April.

Ross’s Gull: In CountyDown,
an adult lingered at ArdglassHarbour (CountyDown) from 18th January
until 1st February. It represented only the 20th record
for Ireland.

Gull-billed Tern: One visited Thorne
Moors (South Yorks) on 30th May
after being initially seen near Donna Nook (Lincs) the previous day. In June, a
second-summer commuted between Llanelli WWT Reserve and the Loughor Estuary
(South Wales) from 24th-27th before likely relocating to
Lodmoor RSPB, Weymouth (Dorset),
on 29th. In Ireland,
one was at Ballyneety, near Dungarvan (CountyWaterford),
on 29th June.

Forster’s Tern: In Ireland, the regular reappearing adult was in GalwayBay
off Nimmo’s Pier (CountyGalway) until at least 20th January before
moving to TacumshinLake (CountyWexford) for the summer –
from 12th May until at least 17th June.

White-winged Black Tern: Following one on
the Abbey Pool, Tresco (Scilly), on 18th May, two summer-plumaged
adults arrived at Stodmarsh NNR (Kent) on 26th May with further
singles at Saltholme Pools (Cleveland) on 27th May, Ranworth Broad
(Norfolk) on 14th June, Swillington Ings (West Yorks) on 18th
June (and at nearby Fairburn Ings RSPB on 19th-20th),
Leighton Moss RSPB (Lancs) on 23rd June and Grove Ferry NR (Kent) on
25th June. A single summer-plumaged bird then moved from Staines
Reservoirs (Surrey) on 25th June to CotswoldWaterPark
(Wilts) on 27th and Shapwick Heath NNR (Somerset) on 28th.

Snowy Owl: In Ireland, an immature male was at Altikeeragh NR
(CountyDerry)
from 1st-13th February with the returning adult female at
Ballycastle (CountyMayo) on at least 13th
February.

In
the Outer Hebrides, the usual St Kilda male
reappeared for its summer sojourn at Grenitote, North Uist, on 14th
May and was then seen regularly until 11th June before moving back
to Kilda on 12th.

Eurasian Scops Owl: On St Mary’s
(Scilly), one was seen briefly at dusk on Higher Moors on both 25th
and 26th March.

Palm Dove: a presumed escape
visited an Ipswich garden (Suffolk)
from at least 21st-24th April. Ship-assistance is a real
possibility with this North African and Middle Eastern speciality.

Alpine Swift: A typical
scattering of March records but none twitchable included singles over The
Lizard (Cornwall) on 18th, Butt of Lewis (Outer Hebrides) on 24th-25th,
Havant (Hants) on 29th, and on Lundy Island (North Devon) on 28th-29th.
No more until three at the end of April with singles at Lowestoft (Suffolk) on
28th-29th, over Canvey Island (Essex) on 29th
and at Berry Head, Brixham (South Devon) on 30th – and just two in
May – over Theddlethorpe St Helen & Huttoft (Lincs) on 11th and
over Cranham Golf Course, Upminster (Essex), on 13th. In fact, we
had to wait until the end of June for a twitchable one, with a bird in heavy
moult at Bempton and Buckton Cliffs (East Yorks)
from 29th June into July. One was also seen over Blakeney Point and
Cley (Norfolk)
on 30th June.

In
Ireland, singles were seen
at Fanore (CountyClare) on 24th March, Kilcoole (CountyWicklow)
on 7th & 24th April and at Tacumshin (CountyWexford)
on 28th June.

Little Swift: Vying with the
Cream-coloured Courser and Yorkshire Roller for bird of the year was a
spectacularly low-flying juvenile at New Brighton Promenade (Wirral) on 22nd-24th
June. It was then seen erratically and rather distantly over the town until 29th.

European Bee-eater: A major influx
with about 30 recorded in May, with singles at many sites from Scilly to
Cumbria and from Kent to Cleveland, twos in East Sussex, Norfolk, East Yorks
and North Wales and a party of 6 that was seen in Kent, Essex, Suffolk and
Norfolk. Most popular was a confiding bird in the Cley and Wiveton area from 18th-21st
May. Perhaps 25 continued to linger into June but were never seen anything
other than fly-bys, including 5 over Spurn Point (East Yorks) on 4th,
4 over Climping Beach (West Sussex) on 14th and a flock of 5 at
various sites in East Sussex on 17th-18th.

In
Ireland, one was at Ram Head
(CountyWaterford) on 21st May.

European Roller: Following one seen
in flight near HaldonForest (Devon) on 1st May, one was seen at
Spurn Point and Kilnsea (East Yorks) on 29th May, before being
relocated in a recently tilled field just north of Aldbrough (East
Yorks) on 31st. This adult male then became the centre
of attention for over two weeks – being both stunningly beautiful and confiding
– last being noted on 14th June. Less than five miles away, in
Hornsea, a second bird was reported from wires on 4th & 6th
June.

Eurasian Hoopoe: In winter, one
remained in LowestoftHarbour (Suffolk)
until 2nd January and another was noted near Pendeen (Cornwall) on 25th
January. In early spring, one arrived in Cornwall
at Sennen on 23rd March to be quickly followed by 11 more before the
month’s end. Elsewhere, a further 18 were reported in March, with 14 in April,
35 in May and 3 in June.

Wryneck: early arrivals
included singles on Bryher (Scilly) on 25th March, at Ottery St Mary
(Devon) on 30th-31st March, Ewhurst (East Sussex) on 9th
April and Cam (Gloucs) on 17th
April. At least 22 then arrived from 19th April, most of which were
in Shetland, Orkney and along the NE coast of Britain, with a further influx in
May involving at least 50 individuals. The last noted was one at Sumburgh Head
(Shetland) on 3rd June.

Calandra Lark: One flew over SandwichBay
(Kent)
on 5th May. Despite turning up more frequently in recent years,
there is yet to be a twitchable individual on the UK mainland.

Greater Short-toed Lark: In addition to the
four that reached Scilly in May, singles were at Traeth Crigyll, Rhosneigr
(Anglesey) on 2nd-3rd May, LundyIsland (Devon) on 12th May,
Fair Isle on 21st May, the FarneIslands
(Northumberland) on 27th-29th May and at Baltasound, Unst
(Shetland), on 31st May. Two birds then made a very protracted stay
on LundyIsland
being present from at least 2nd-24th June, with late
spring records in Ireland
from CapeClearIsland (CountyCork) on 3rd June and at
The Cull (CountyWexford) on 23rd-24th
June.

Crested Lark: In Kent,
one visited Dungeness Power Station on 7th May. Kent continues
to monopolise where records of this species are concerned.

Shore Lark: A total of just 15
birds were seen in January in Kent,
Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk,
including up to 8 on HavergateIsland (Suffolk) from
15th and 4 in HolkhamBay (Norfolk),
whilst a more noteworthy record involved a single at Hayling Oyster Beds
(Hants) from 15th January until 16th February. April saw
a hint of passage, with 7 at Donna Nook (Lincs) on 1st-2nd,
2 at Filey (North Yorks) on 2nd-13th, 3 at Benacre
(Suffolk) on 5th-6th, 2 at Titchwell RSPB (Norfolk) on 8th
and one at Cley (Norfolk) on 13th-22nd, whilst May saw
further arrivals with 2 at Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire) on 7th and
singles on Fair Isle on 19th-20th, North Ronaldsay
(Orkney) on 20th and Foula (Shetland) on 31st.

Red-rumped Swallow: It was an
excellent spring for this southern species with singles at Castletown (Highland) on 9th April, High Eske NR, Beverley
(East Yorks) on 21st, Far Ings NR (North Lincs) on 28th-29th,
Bowesfield Marsh (Cleveland)
on 30th and Gibraltar Point (Lincs) on 30th. A widespread
influx then occurred in May involving at least 50 individuals, including up to
5 on Scilly and 3 as far north as Shetland. Four more were seen in Ireland.

Richard’s Pipit: In January,
singles were at Wyke Regis (Dorset) all month, Snettisham RSPB (Norfolk) on 9th and at Porthgwarra (Cornwall) on 17th,
with the former staying on site until 24th April. These were
followed in spring by singles at Kelling Hard (Norfolk)
from 29th March until 19th April, LundyIsland (Devon)
from 5th-12th May and on St Mary’s (Scilly) on 6th-7th
May.

In
Ireland, one was at Killard
NR (CountyDown) from 2nd January until 23rd
March.

Tawny Pipit: One flew west over
Dungeness (Kent) on 26th April, one spent the day at Landguard NR
(Suffolk) on 6th May and brief flyovers were noted at Worthing (West
Sussex) on 20th May and Capel-le-Ferne (Kent) on 28th
May.

Red-throated Pipit: In
Gloucestershire, a summer-plumaged bird visited New Passage (Avon) briefly on
22nd April, whilst in May, singles were on The Lizard (Cornwall) on 8th, at Scourie (Highland) on 18th, on St Mary’s
(Scilly) on 19th-20th and on Foula (Shetland) on 30th.

Citrine Wagtail: In Norfolk, single males were at West Runton on 30th
April and Holme Golf Course on 4th May, with a first-summer male at ThornwickBay,
Flamborough Head (East Yorks) on 19th-20th May whilst a
female visited Ballycotton Marsh (CountyCork) on 5th
May.

Bohemian Waxwing: At least 650 were
reported in January and February 2012, most popular being a flock of 70 near
Ipswich (Suffolk)
for several weeks. Birds lingered due to the poor weather, with a flock of 25
remaining in Sheffield (South Yorks) until 5th
May.

Thrush Nightingale: One trapped and
ringed at Weybourne (Norfolk) on 13th
May was followed by a more typical batch of Scottish arrivals, including
singles on the Isle of May (Fife) on 19th & 30th-31st
May and on Fair Isle on 20th-22nd
and 25th May. The male remained on the Isle of May until 2nd
June.

Bluethroat: In Ireland, a wintering male remained at Clonea
Strand, near Dungarvan (CountyWaterford) until 6th
January. This was later followed by a red-spotted male on ToryIsland (CountyDonegal)
on 20th-21st May.

In
spring, white-spotted males occurred at Woodhorn (Northumberland) on 7th-8th
April, with two at Spurn Point (East Yorks) on
8th April, whilst 35 red-spotted males arrived in May including a
singing male inland at Doxey Marshes NR (Staffs) on 20th May. The
last of spring included males on the Isle of may (Fife)
on 1st June and at Exnaboe (Shetland) on 11th June.

Red-flanked Bluetail: The third for Ireland, a female, was well-watched at Galley
Head (CountyCork)
on 26th March whilst the first for the Outer
Hebrides, a first-winter, was trapped and ringed at Uigen, Lewis,
on 31st March and retrapped on 4th & 7th
April. With this species now, it is more of ‘where has it not been recorded’
than where it has – a most exceptional change in occurrence pattern.

Siberian Stonechat: In Ireland, a female was present at South Slob NR (CountyWexford)
from 5th-20th March, whilst in April, single males
appeared on Holy Island (Northumberland) on 28th and Cromer (Norfolk) on 30th.

Black-eared Wheatear: A first-summer
female of the western form was photographed at Frampton Marsh RSPB (Lincs)
briefly on 12th June.

Desert Wheatear: two first-winter
males successfully overwintered in Britain
including a bird at Newbiggin (Northumberland) until 3rd January and
another at Bempton Cliffs RSPB (East Yorkshire)
until 9th February. These are not the first to do so however, at
least 7 of the previous 135 recorded making it somewhat surprisingly into this
month.

River Warbler: On Fair Isle, one lingered in the Bird Observatory garden
from 11th June into July.

Savi’s Warbler: The first of the
year involved a reeling male at Steart (Somerset) on 21st April,
with 5 more in May (at Rutland Water, Leics, on 4th-8th,
Strumpshaw Fen RSPB, Norfolk, on 8th-21st, at Blacktoft
Sands RSPB (East Yorks) on 9th-31st, Walberswick Marshes
(Suffolk) on 12th and Wilstone Reservoir, Tring (Herts) on 20th-21st)
and another in June (at Exminster Marshes RSPB, Devon, on 21st-23rd).
The Blacktoft male remained on territory until at least 28th June.

A
reeling male was also discovered in Ireland
– at Lingstown Reedbed, Tacumshin (CountyWexford), from 25th-30th
June.

Marsh Warbler: An outstanding
year with over 45 recorded between 23rd May and the end of June.
Breeding was suspected at seven sites.

Great Reed Warbler: Singing males were
at Weston-super-Mare Sewage Treatment Works (Avon) from 19th May
until 2nd June, Radipole Lake RSPB (Dorset) on 22nd-24th
May, Cley NWT East Bank (Norfolk) on 30th
May, Gunwalloe Fishing Cove, Lizard (Cornwall),
on 3rd-6th June and at Boddam Voe (Shetland) on 28th
June.

Paddyfield Warbler: In West Sussex, an
overwintering male remained in Phragmites
at PaghamHarbour’s Breach Pool until 18th
March. Towards the end of its stay and on warm sunny mornings, it sang briefly.

On
9th June, one was trapped and ringed on North
Ronaldsay (Orkney), where it remained until next day, followed by
yet another one trapped and ringed in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory garden on
30th June, this bird making a protracted stay well into July.

Blyth’s Reed Warbler: In North Norfolk, a very elusive male sang from the
overgrown ‘pit’ at Warham Greens on 9th June. Although still singing
towards midnight, it had disappeared by first light next day.

Icterine Warbler: Following the
first reported on 24th May, a total of 34 arrived in May including
20 on Shetland, 4 on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) and 8 along the east coast from North Norfolk north to Northumberland. At least 23 more
appeared in June but again mainly in Orkney and Shetland.

Melodious Warbler: Most popular (and
welcome) was a singing male in Greater London at Leyton from 16th-18th
May. Otherwise, singles occurred at Dungeness (Kent) on 1st May,
Northward Hill RSPB (Kent) on 16th May, St Mary’s (Scilly) on 19th
May, BardseyIsland
(Gwynedd) on 3rd-5th June, Isle of May (Fife)
on 7th June and at Totronald, Coll (Argyll), on 8th June.

Western Subalpine Warbler: an early male
appeared in Eccles-on-Sea (Norfolk)
on 29th March but was not followed by any others until 9th
May, when a first-summer male was trapped and ringed at Portland Bill Bird
Observatory (Dorset). Single females were then noted on BardseyIsland (Gwynedd) on 14th
May, Weybourne (Norfolk) on 20th May,
St Abb’s Head (Borders) on 20th May, Pool of Virkie (Shetland) on 22nd
May and on Fair Isle on 26th May.

Off
North Devon, an adult and a first-summer male were trapped and ringed on LundyIsland
on 30th May, the former remaining until 2nd. A female was
also at Quendale (Shetland) on 1st-2nd June.

Eastern Subalpine Warbler: Male albistriata were recorded on Whalsay
(Shetland) on 21st May and at Balephuil, Tiree (Argyll), on 28th
May.

Western Orphean Warbler: Far and away the
rarest species recorded in Britain
this spring, a first-summer male trapped and ringed at Hartlepool Headland
(Cleveland) on 29th May. The sixth for Britain and the first
twitchable since 1981, it was no surprise that just over 900 observers
connected before it disappeared to roost half an hour before dusk.

Greenish Warbler: A good spring with
singles, some of which were singing males, at Flamborough Head (East Yorks) on
25th May, Landguard NR (Suffolk) on 26th May, Northward
Hill RSPB (Kent) on 26th May, Walney Island (Cumbria) on 4th
June, Bardsey Island (Gwynedd) on 8th June, on the Isle of May
(Fife) on 6th-9th June (with two present on 6th)
and on Bardsey again on 30th June – eight in total.

In
Ireland, one visited CapeClearIsland (CountyCork) on 30th
May.

Arctic Warbler: In Shetland, an
adult was trapped and ringed at Skaw, Whalsay,
on 27th June. Oddly, Shetland has attracted quite a few midsummer
records of this boreal species over the years.

Yellow-browed Warbler: A dozen were seen
in January and February, including 2 in Somerset,
3 in Devon, 4 in Cornwall
and 2 on the Isles of Scilly. Most popular however, and easier to see, was one
at Worthing (West Sussex) from 22nd February to 28th March,
whilst one in Warndon village (Worcs) from 10th March until 21st
April was occasionally heard singing. Waxham (Norfolk)
produced another on 30th April, with one at Spurn Point (East Yorks)
on 3rd-4th May and a singing male in Wells Woods (Norfolk) on 8th
May.

Hume’s Leaf Warbler: A wintering
first-year was present near Wyke Regis (Dorset)
until 26th April but remained particularly elusive throughout.

Dusky Warbler: On the Isles of
Scilly, one remained in Lower Moors, St Mary’s, until 16th January,
before relocating to neighbouring Harry’s Walls until 12th February.
A different bird was identified on Tresco, also on 12th February.

Iberian Chiffchaff: After a number of
false starts, we finally recorded an ibericus
that both looked and sounded the part in May – at KenidjackValley, St Just (Cornwall), from 28th. It sang
daily until 21st June. A further singing male was then recorded in Somerset at Porlock from
6th June into July.

Red-breasted Flycatcher: Singles were on
Blakeney Point (Norfolk) on 2nd May, Fair Isle on 10th,
the Farne Islands (Northumberland) on 18th & 26th,
Warham Greens (Norfolk) on 20th-22nd, Yell (Shetland) on
21st, Coquet Island (Northumberland) on 22nd, Collieston
(Aberdeenshire) on 22nd-23rd, on the Isle of May (Fife)
on 24th, North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 23rd, Dungeness
(Kent) on 29th, Bardsey Island (Gwynedd) on 6th June and
on the Farne Islands (Northumberland) on 16th June.

In
Ireland, a male was on DurseyIsland
(CountyCork) on 26th May.

Collared Flycatcher: A belated first
for Ireland involved a
female on ToryIsland
(CountyDonegal) on 29th May.

White-headed Long-tailed Tit: In West Yorkshire,
two were in gardens at Luddenden Dean from 10th January to 20th
February.

Penduline Tit: In Somerset, two were at PortburyWharf on 15th January,
whilst in Kent,
a male reappeared on the ARC Pit, Dungeness, from 20th February
until 1st March. Two more were seen at Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk) on 26th
March & 6th April, with a further reported at Leighton Moss RSPB
(Lancs) on 7th April.

Short-toed Treecreeper: In Kent, one was
at Samphire Hoe CP, Dover,
on 10th March. Again, like Crested Lark. Kent monopolises somewhat with this
species being so close to the Continent.

Golden Oriole: A male arrived at
Lakenheath RSPB (Suffolk)
on 26th April, before being joined in early May by a second
individual. Much more showy and confiding was a cracking male at Snettisham CP
(Norfolk) on 29th-30th
April, with further males at Reculver and SandwichBay (Kent) on 30th April. A
strong passage continued into May with the Isles of Scilly hosting at least 20
individuals, whilst June saw a shift to the Northern Isles, with 3 on Shetland.

Single
males also reached Ireland –
on CapeClearIsland (CountyCork) on 4th-6th
May and at Loop Head (CountyClare) on 3rd
June.

Red-backed Shrike: Just under 100
birds arrived in May from 6th, the vast majority on Shetland and
along the East Coast from Suffolk
to Aberdeenshire. A further 35 were recorded in June.

Woodchat Shrike: The first of the
spring appeared in SW Ireland – in CountyWaterford at Ardmore on 24th March. Over a
month later, the first arrived in Britain
– at CapeCornwall
(Cornwall) on 30th April – to be
followed by 20 more in May including up to 6 on Scilly, 4 in West Cornwall and
3 in South Devon. Elsewhere, singles were
noted at Keyhaven (Hants) on 12th-13th, Tenby (Pembs) on
17th, Martin Down (Hants) on 20th-21st,
Culverwell, Portland (Dorset),
on 23rd and at Maghull (Lancs) on 30th.

Seven
more appeared in June with a first-summer female at Winterton North Dunes
(Norfolk) from 1st-14th, a first-summer male on Bardsey
Island on 3rd, a male at Walberswick Common (Suffolk) on 10th,
a first-summer female at Great Ormes Head (Clwyd) on 10th-14th,
a male at Skirza, John O’Groats (Caithness) on 13th, a male at
Gunton Warren (Suffolk) on 19th-20th and an adult male at
Smeatonthorpe (North Yorks) on 26th.

In
Ireland, singles were at
Carnsore Point (CountyWexford) on 18th-19th May and
on SherkinIsland
(CountyCork) from 30th May until 9th
June.

House Crow: In Ireland, the long-staying ship-assisted adult
remained in Cobh (CountyCork) throughout the
review period

Rose-coloured Starling: wintering birds
are a regular phenomenon so single first-winters at Newquay (Cornwall) on 7th
January, St Columb Minor (Cornwall) on 9th January and at Muirhead,
Troon (Ayrshire), from 28th January were not unexpected, the latter
remaining until at least 24th March. A first-winter reappeared again
in Holyhead (Anglesey) on 25th February
and showed daily until 7th April, with another much-watched male
frequenting Hordle village (Hants) from 29th February until 16th
April. Further adults were noted at Selsey Bill (West Sussex) on 6th-12th
May, Mullion Cove, The Lizard (Cornwall), on 18th May, Landguard NR
(Suffolk) on 25th May and at Arlington Reservoir (East Sussex) on 27th
May whilst an influx of at least 26 birds took place in June including a
cracking male in gardens at Rhos-on-Sea (Clwyd) from 16th-24th.
Others were at Langney Point, Eastbourne (East Sussex) from 2nd-7th
June, Gillingham (Kent) on 3rd, Higham (Kent) on 4th,
Martin’s Haven (Pembs) on 5th, Upper Hollesley (Suffolk) on 8th,
Flamborough Head (East Yorks) on 9th, Hastings (East Sussex) on 9th-10th,
Golspie (Sutherland) on 10th, Hartburn (Cleveland) on 10th,
Edwinstowe (Notts) on 10th, Severn Beach (Avon) on 10th-11th,
Whitley Bay (Northumberland) on 16th, Pensarn (Clwyd) on 16th-17th,
Minions (Cornwall) on 17th, Valley (Anglesey) on 18th-24th,
Frampton Marsh RSPB (Lincs) on 20th-25th, Scratby
(Norfolk) on 21st and at Llangefni (Anglesey) on 25th.

Four
more reached Ireland in June
with singles at Spanish Point (CountyClare) on 13th, SkelligsHarbour (CountyKerry) on 15th, Wicklow (CountyWicklow)
on 18th-20th and at Mizen Head (CountyCork)
on 24th.

Spanish Sparrow: In Hampshire, a
male frequented a Calshot garden from early December 2011 until at least 23rd
March, constituting only the eighth record for Britain.

Scandinavian Arctic Redpoll: In North Norfolk,
a first-winter remained at Titchwell Marsh RSPB until 18th March
whilst another frequented a Kelling garden from at least 8th-25th
January; a further first-year was trapped and ringed at Santon Downham (Norfolk) on 4th
March.

Hornemann’s Arctic Redpoll: Singles were noted
at Sanaigmore, Islay (Argyll) on 10th April, near Lochaline (Highland) on 16th April and in Ireland at DogBay, Murvey (CountyGalway)
on 13th April. On 4th June, a worn first-year was trapped
and ringed on Fair Isle.

Trumpeter Finch: A female was on St
Kilda (Outer Hebrides) on 10th
June. The status of this largely sedentary species has dramatically changed in
recent years with it no longer being the mega-rare it once was..

Common Rosefinch: No less than 31
occurred in May, over half of course being discovered on Shetland. Less usual
was one in Ireland – a
singing male at Meenbannad (CountyDonegal) on 29th
May. At least 12 more occurred in June.

Northern
Waterthrush:
Incredibly, the first-winter first seen in August 2011, survived the winter on
the Isles of Scilly and was seen regularly on Lower Moors until 10th
January. It then went missing but reappeared in February, showing
intermittently up until 16th April. The longest stayer ever.

Common Yellowthroat: in what was an
exceptional winter for Nearctic passerines in the UK,
a cracking first-winter male was eventually identified at Rhiwderin, near Newport (Gwent), where it
frequented the hedgerows and bracken fronds there from 10th-29th
February. It represented the eleventh for Britain
and second for Wales.

Slate-coloured Junco: First seen on 24th
December 2011, this first-winter male was not identified from photographs until
a week later. It chose Hampshire to its liking and like the Spanish Sparrow aforementioned,
was almost certainly a stowaway from Southampton Docks nearby. It inhabited a
woodland glade at Hawkhill Inclosure in the New Forest
with Reed Buntings and Chaffinches until at least 11th March and
represented the third for the county.

White-throated Sparrow: a bright
individual was photographed visiting a garden lawn at Broadford, Isle of Skye (Highland), on 20th
May.

Rustic Bunting: a male visited
Heysham NR (Lancs) briefly on 14th March before flying off strongly
NE. Further males then visited Filey NCCP (North Yorks) on 21st May,
North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 23rd
May and on Inner Farne (Northumberland) from 31st May until 1st
June. A small but fairly typical influx on Shetland involved a singing male at
Sumburgh Head on 24th-27th May, a male at Scousburgh on
26th, a male on Foula on 21st-23rd and a
female on Foula on 23rd-24th.

Little Bunting: a male was trapped
and ringed at South Milton Ley (South Devon)
on 19th March and remained faithful at the feeders there until 17th
April. In Kent,
one was trapped and ringed at Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory on 30th
April staying until 5th May, with further spring migrants at St
Mary’s (Scilly) on 19th May and on Foula (Shetland) on 27th
May.

Ortolan Bunting: an early migrant
male appeared at Dungeness (Kent) on 30th April to be followed by
four further records in May – on Fair Isle on 9th-10th,
Whalsay (Shetland) on 9th-18th, Wester Quarff (Shetland)
on 13th and on Holy Island
(Northumberland) briefly on 20th.

Black-headed Bunting: A male visited
Bryher (Scilly) on 28th May only to be followed by a very showy male
on Shetland at Gloup, Yell, from 29th May until 1st June.
Two different males were then discovered at garden feeders in South Wales – at
Godre’r-Craig, near Ystalyfera, on 17th June and at Porthyrhyd, Carmarthenshire,
on 18th-24th June, whilst a female was identified at
Grenitote, North Uist (Outer Hebrides) on 19th
June.

This
is the second part of my Annual Report on Rare Birds in 2012, the first part
covering the months January-June being published in the Summer 2012 issue on
pages 95-105. At that stage, no less than 384 species has been recorded by 1st
July. In the six months that followed, a further 62 species occurred, including
at least two New to Britain
and Ireland,
culminating in a 6th-best 446 species.

The
latter half of the year proved as equally exciting as the first, with July and
August yielding some great seabird movements and rare waders such as Stilt
Sandpiper. The best birds of course were largely single observer, including an
Eleonora’s Falcon in West Cornwall and a Black Skimmer off Ireland, but
Rainham’s Baillon’s Crake made up for any disappointment and two twitchable
juvenile Short-billed Dowitchers certainly whetted the appetite. Again, late
September and October were dominated by short-staying mega-rares, with both
Magnolia Warbler and eastern Kingbird slipping away for the high listers. The
worst was even yet to come when a Pale-legged Leaf warbler spent just one day
on Portland.
That’s life I am afraid.

Anyway,
the second half Systematic List is exhaustive – work out how many species would
have been new for you….

Pacific Diver: In Cornwall, the regular adult returned to Mount’s Bay, Penzance, on 5th December, being seen almost
daily until 16th.

White-billed Diver: Singles flew north
past Flamborough Head (North Yorks) on 25th October and 28th
November and Whitburn CP (CountyDurham) on 27th
September

Pied-billed Grebe: In Ireland, one
was at Lough Baun, Louisburgh (CountyMayo), from 29th October until 4th
November, whilst perhaps the same relocated to Loch na Bagh, Smerclate, South
Uist, in the Outer Hebrides from 26th November
until 8th December.

Fea’s Soft-plumaged Petrel: In Ireland, one
flew west past Mizen Head (CountyCork) on 16th July, followed by two off
Carnsore Point (CountyWexford) on 18th August and then further
singles off CapeClear
island (CountyCork)
on 19th August and Galley Head (CountyCork)
on 29th August. Yet another went west off Mizen Head on 5th
October.

In
Cornwall, one
flew west past Porthgwarra early evening on 24th August, whilst on
26th September, one flew south past Fraserburgh (Aberdeenshire).

Cory’s Shearwater: Bang on cue, the
first 20 or more were seen on 16th July, passing both Scilly and
Porthgwarra (Cornwall), with a stronger passage
in SW Ireland, including 35 past Mizen Head (CountyCork)
on 31st July. Numbers then dramatically increased in August with no
less than 320 reported in SW Britain during the month, including 115 past
Gwennap Head, Porthgwarra, on 3rd and 18 past Pendeen Watchpoint
(Cornwall) on 25th. These numbers were absolutely dwarfed by those
passing Ireland during the
same period, with at least 1,500 passing Galley Head (CountyCork)
on 2nd-3rd and over 400 at several other West Coast
locations. On 10th September, a further 9 flew west past Porthgwarra
(the same day 30 were logged from a Scilly pelagic trip), with up to 3
different birds reported in the southern North Sea on 23rd
September, being seen offshore of Suffolk, Norfolk and East Yorkshire. A few
late birds were reported in October, with singles off Beesands Ley (South
Devon) on 1st, Skinningrove (Cleveland) on 9th,
Flamborough Head (East Yorks) on 10th and Thorpeness (Suffolk) on 11th.

Great Shearwater: the first of the
year and autumn flew west past Start Point (South Devon)
on 2nd July. Six others quickly followed, including one past
Flamborough Head (East Yorks) on 13th July, with a major movement in
SW Ireland on 31st July, when 14 flew west past Mizen Head (County
Cork). A further 65 were logged in August, peaking at 22 past Porthgwarra (Cornwall) on 3rd and 11 past Pendeen Watchpoint
(Cornwall) on
25th. In the North Sea, singles were seen passing Cley Coastguards
and Sheringham (Norfolk) on 26th
August, Hartlepool Headland (Cleveland) on 27th August and
Flamborough Head (East Yorkshire) on 31st
August. Along with the Cory’s Shearwater passage, SW Ireland also recorded
large numbers of Great Shearwaters passing in August, with 60 past Old Head of
Kinsale (CountyCork) on 3rd. In September,
just 10 were seen between 4th & 18th, including two
past Pendeen on 11th and further singles past Portland Bill (Dorset
and Porthgwarra on 30th.

Yelkouan Shearwater: After some good
years for this species in West Cornwall, the only record this year was of a
single north past Whitburn Steel (CountyDurham) on 31st
August.

North Atlantic Little
Shearwater:
In Ireland, singles flew
past Toe Head (CountyCork) on 19th August and Bridges of Ross
(CountyClare) on 27th August.

Wilson’s
Storm Petrel:
Joe Pender’s Scilly Pelagic trips have the monopoly with this seabird these
days with the SW Approaches yielding at least 3 in July, including 2 on 2nd,
3 on 12th and singles on 16th and 19th, and 2
more in August on 2nd. Further singles were also seen from the MV Scillonian, between Penzance and St
Mary’s, on 16th July and from a pelagic 14 miles NW of Newquay (Cornwall) on 25th
July.

In
Ireland, singles flew past Galley Head (County Cork) on 22nd July,
Bridges of Ross (County Clare) on 17th August, Toe Head (County
Cork) on 19th August and Galley Head (County Cork) on 21st
August, with two seen from a pelagic trip off Loop Head (County Clare) on 12th
August and at least three from a Pelagic west of the Blasket Islands (County
Kerry) on 17th August. A very late individual was seen off
Cloughmore Head (CountyGalway) on 4th
October.

Leach’s Storm Petrel: One was inland at PenningtonFlashCountryPark (Gtr Manchester) on
13th September.

Black-crowned Night Heron: In Hampshire, the
second-summer was again at Lower Pennington Fishponds from 3rd-19th
August.

In
Ireland, one was reported
near Bandon (CountyCork) on 26th
July

Cattle Egret: One visited Elmley
Marshes RSPB (Kent) on 16th August, with single juveniles at
Abbotsbury (Dorset) on 24th-27th August and Dungeness
RSPB (Kent) on 30th August. In September, singles were at Northwick
Wharf (Gloucs) on 9th, near Fort William (Highland) on 23rd,
this latter individual relocating to the Outer Hebrides shortly later, where it
visited Kilmuir, South Uist, on 26th-27th and Balranald
RSPB, North Uist, on 28th-30th and later Loch nam
Magarlan, North Uist, until 4th October.

Elsewhere,
one was seen at various sites in South Devon in October and at Catcott Lows NR
(Somerset Levels) on 11th, with that in Devon
at Colyford Common, Seaton, from 1st-27th November. One
was then present at Westhay Moor (Somerset)
on 27th-28th December, moving to nearby Mudgeley until 31st.

In
Ireland, one was at Strabane
(CountyTyrone)
from 2nd-11th November, with another at St Johnston (CountyDonegal)
organic piggery from 14th December into 2013.

Great White Egret: This species
continues to go from strength to strength following this year’s first breeding
attempt in Somerset
where two different nests fledged a total of four young. Around 50 different
individuals were logged in the UK
between July and December, including at least 8 on the Somerset Levels, up to 7
in the Dungeness Area (Kent), 8 in Mid & South Wales and 7 in NW England.

In
Ireland, one visited the
River Slaney near Bunclody (CountyWexford) on 28th
August

Purple Heron: In Kent, the adult remained at Stodmarsh NNR until
1st July and was then replaced by a juvenile in the StourValley
from 25th July until 30th August. A further adult was
then seen in flight over Oare Marshes NR (Kent) on 30th July, with
further juveniles at Coombe Hill Meadows NR (Gloucs) from 28th-30th
July, on the Mepal Washes (Cambs) from 30th July until 5th
September and reported from Fritton Marshes (Norfolk) on 15th August. In
October, juveniles were present at Radipole Lake RSPB, Weymouth
(Dorset), from 6th-27th and at College Reservoir, Falmouth (Cornwall),
from 17th-22nd, that at Radipole reappearing in November
from 1st-5th.

Black Stork: No twitchable
Black Storks this year but brief appearances by this species at Loch Fleet at
Littleferry, Golspie (Sutherland) on 6th July and in flight over
Bignor Hill (West Sussex) on 17th
July.

In
Ireland, one flew over
Ballyvaughan (CountyClare) on 12th
July

White Stork: Discounting some
fairly obvious local escapees, a party of 3 continued to linger along the SouthCoast
from the spring frequenting flooded food-rich fields at Templecombe (Somerset) from 14th-19th
July. They were then seen flying over Rampisham (Dorset) on 20th
July before being rejoined by a fourth individual at Thorney Moor, near Muchelney
(Somerset Levels) on 27th-29th July. The flock then
relocated to Wet Moor, near Langport (Somerset), from 9th-22nd
August, feasting on fish and other prey marooned by receding floodwaters,
before being seen near Dorchester (Dorset) on 23rd August.

Sacred Ibis: The three escaped
individuals, none of which were ringed,
continued to tour the UK
throughout July to December.

Glossy Ibis: Up to a dozen
oversummered, including singles at Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk)
until 15th July, Pagham Harbour North Wall (West Sussex) until 20th
July, Ham Walls RSPB (Somerset)
until 24th July, the Ouse Washes RSPB (Cambs) until 25th
October and that at Marloes Mere (Pembrokeshire) all year.

October
saw yet another influx of birds from Coto Donana (Spain), with independent
parties of 7 and 8 birds arriving in West Cornwall at Windmill Farm (Lizard)
and Marazion Marsh RSPB Reserve respectively on 6th, with all 15
birds then flying over Land’s End at midday, at least 7 of which remaining in
Sennen Brew Pool water meadows until at least 23rd. Elsewhere, one
flew south over Bosley Reservoir (Cheshire) on 4th, one visited
Rainham Marshes RSPB (London) on 14th-15th, one was in
Poole Harbour (Dorset) on 21st, a first-winter was at Aveton Gifford
(South Devon) on 21st, the Poole bird was at Keyhaven Marshes
(Hants) on 24th and back at Hengistbury Head (Dorset) on 25th.
What may have been the same bird was at Bickerley Common Floods, south of Ringwood
(Hants), from 2nd December into January 2013.

Ireland
saw an additional three birds oversummer (in Counties Wexford & Cork) with
those at Timoleague (County Cork) and Tacumshin (County Wexford) being seen
until the end of the year.

Eurasian Spoonbill: The breeding
population continued to do well and swell the numbers present in the country
during the summer, with no less than 70 birds being present in East Anglia
in July. Noteworthy were 2 on the Ythan Estuary (Aberdeenshire) on 26th
July and a juvenile at Broom GP (Beds) on 31st August. As autumn
progressed, the PooleHarbour (Dorset) flock increased to 19 birds by 7th
October, whilst Titchwell RSPB (Norfolk)
still held 11 early in the month and Elmley Marshes RSPB at least 10.

Snow Goose: A flock of 13
Lesser Snow Geese was seen in Lancashire on 29th August and next day
in Gloucestershire and had probably wandered from the naturalised population in
Germany.
An adult white morph of unknown origin was then with Greylag Geese on Lewis (Outer Hebrides) from 6th-8th
September. Two white morphs were with Greylag Geese on Islay (Argyll) from 3rd
October, perhaps the two later present on North Uist (Outer
Hebrides) from 15th October into the New Year. The
regular Stromness adult was with Greylag Geese in Orkney from 25th
November, with blue morph birds on Islay at Loch Gruinart RSPB (Argyll) on 1st
November and at Skinnet, near Halkirk (Highland)
on 30th November.

In
Ireland, the regular blue
morph was at Lough MacNean from Late October, with a white morph with Greenland
White-fronted Geese at Sheskinmore Lough (CountyDonegal)
from 7th November into the New Year.

Ross’s Snow Goose: For the first
winter in a long time, not one genuine Ross’s Goose arrived with the
Pink-footed Geese this autumn. The white morph adult consorting with Barnacle
Geese did show up, moving from Breydon Water (Norfolk)
on 31st October to Waxham (Norfolk)
on 4th-7th November, before spending the rest of the year
in the YareValley. A further bird with less than
good credentials also appeared at Loaningfoot (Dumfries & Galloway) on 24th
November.

Vagrant Canada Goose: At least 10 Richardson’s Canada Geese were discovered in Scotland and Ireland
in October, the majority being regularly returning adults with Barnacle Geese,
including up to 4 on Islay (Argyll) and 3 in the Lissadell area (CountyMayo).
Several Todd’s Canada Geese were also identified, including singles in Dumfries&Galloway, Cumbria
and on Islay. A further hutchinsii in North Norfolk ranged between Kelling, Cley and Blakeney
all month before relocating to Lincolnshire
in the New Year.

Red-breasted Goose: An adult, presumed
to be a regular bird, was with Dark-bellied Brent Geese at South Swale NR
(North Kent) from 14th-23rd October before moving south
and west to Hampshire, where it was seen at Milford-on-Sea on 24th
and Farlington Marshes from 25th, remaining at the latter site until
the turn of the year. A further adult also accompanied Barnacle Geese on Islay
(Argyll) from 21st October into January 2013 with another at
Whitrigg (Cumbria) on 16th-18th
November and at Cardurnock (Cumbria)
from 28th-30th November. This latter bird then relocated
to fields near Loaningfoot (Dumfries & Galloway) on 29th-31st
December.

North American Wood Duck: A drake of unknown
origin was at tacumshin Pools (CountyWexford) on 2nd
December.

American Wigeon: Regularly
returning drakes were seen at Wintersett Reservoir, Ryhill (West Yorks), from 8th
October, Kirk Loch and Lochmaben (Dumfries & Galloway) from 13th
October and at Loch Bee, South Uist (Outer Hebrides) from 24th-28th
October. A drake was also at Loch of Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire) from 31st
October until 5th November, with others at St
John’s Loch (Caithness) on 2nd November, in the YareValley
near Bawburgh (Norfolk) on 9th-30th
December and in UdaleBay (Highland)
from 24th-31st December.

In
Ireland, a drake was at
Tacumshin (CountyWexford) from 7th October until at least 5th
November, with others at Cahore (CountyWexford) on 8th December
and Ashton’s Callow (CountyTipperary) on 29th
December.

Falcated Duck: In Oxfordshire, a
drake arrived at farmoor Reservoirs with an influx of Mallards on 9th
December and remained there until 13th.

North American Black Duck: In Ireland, the long-surviving drake was present at
AchillIsland
(CountyMayo)
throughout the latter half of the year, two Mallard hybrids also being recorded
in September, whilst in Scotland,
the drake returned to Strontian (Highland)
from 23rd December.

Blue-winged Teal: An eclipse drake of unknown origin was at
Carbarns Pool near Motherwell (Clyde) from 25th
August until 8th September before returning to Bridgend Farm Pools,
near Kirkintilloch on 16th September. It then returned to the River
Threave, near Castle Douglas, on 29th November, showing intermittently
until the end of the year. Other sightings included a drake at Marshside Marsh
RSPB, Southport (Lancs) on 16th
September

In
Ireland, an eclipse drake
remained at TacumshinLakes (CountyWexford) until 26th August,
with two females at the North Slob WR (CountyWexford) on 6th-9th
August and an immature at ChurchIsland, Lough Beg (CountyDerry)
on 14th September. A further first-winter was identified at Rahasane
Turlough (CountyGalway)
on 14th-30th October, with yet another at ballylongford (CountyKerry)
on 22nd-29th November. In December, a juvenile was at BallyallaLake,
Ennis (CountyClare)
on 1st-2nd, with the regular female on NorthBullIsland (CountyDublin) on 9th.

Ring-necked Duck: In Perth &
Kinross, a drake was at Loch Leven off Grahamstone on 20th August,
whilst in September, single drakes appeared at Orgreave lagoons, Sheffield (South Yorks) from 10th until 7th
October and at Loch Kinord, Aboyne (Aberdeenshire) on 17th. Deep
Atlantic depressions during October resulted in the arrival of 3 first-winters
on Scilly, the drake and two females commuting between Porthellick Pool and
Tresco Great Pool from 16th October until the end of the year. Also
associated with this arrival were first-winter females on Tiree (Argyll) on 19th
October, Slapton Ley (South Devon) from 22ndn October into 2013 and at SiblybackLake
(Cornwall) from 27th October, as well
as a drake at ChewValleyLake
(Avon) from 14th October into early
December. A first-winter drake on Skomer Island (Pembs) from 8th-15th
November later moved to Marloes Mere, whilst further arrivals included a female
on North Uist (Outer Hebrides) from 6th November, a drake on Loch
Alvie, Aviemore (Speyside) on 7th-8th November, a drake
on Loch Watten (Highland) on 10th November, a drake on Helston Loe Pool
(Cornwall) from 16th-19th November, a drake at Rutland
Water (Leics) on 2nd November and latterly at Eyebrook Reservoir
(Leics) from 18th-30th November, a drake at Dungeness
(Kent) on 9th December and a female at Whitlingham Broad, Trowse
(Norfolk), on 9th-13th December.

Ireland saw at least four
Ring-necked Ducks arrive during October, with those at Cross Lough (CountyMayo)
and Lough Shivnagh (CountyDonegal) remaining into
2013.

Ferruginous Duck: An adult drake was
at BlagdonLake
(Somerset) from 12th July until 19th
August, before moving to ChewValleyLake
(Avon) on 30th-31st
August and 13th-14th September. A female was at Minsmere
RSPB Reserve (Suffolk) from 1st-23rd
August with one at ChewValleyLake
on 8th-13th September and again from 1st-18th
October. The regular drake reappeared at Ibsley Water (Hants) for one day on 22nd
October (and again on 12th November), whilst a female Ferruginous
Duck hybrid performed well at Welney Refuge (Norfolk) from at least 5th-10th
November. In December, a drake visited Curry Moor (Somerset)
on 2nd-9th December before moving to WimbleballLake
on 11th-13th, with another drake at Girton GP (Notts) on
18th-30th.

Lesser Scaup: An eclipse drake
was at Cardiff Bay Wetlands NR (East Glamorgan) on 25th August before
moving back to ChewValleyLake
(Avon) from 28th August until 16th
November. A further drake was seen at Loch Leven RSPB (Perth & Kinross) on
15th September, with an additional drake at Chew from 15th-25th
October, two drakes at Loch Watten (Caithness) on 10th November (one
remaining until 13th and the other moving to nearby St John’s Loch
until at least 18th) and the regular drake at Dozmary Pool and
Colliford lake (Cornwall) from 1st December into 2013. The Chew
drake relocated to BlagdonLake (Somerset)
from 7th December into 2013.

In
Ireland, a first-winter
drake was at Lough Gash (CountyClare) from 4th
November into 2013, as was that at Lough Gill, Castlegregory.

King Eider: In Lincolnshire, a
female was seen again in the Wash drifting north past Gibraltar Point on 1st
July, whilst the regular drake off Aberdeenshire was with moulting drake Eiders
at Blackdog, Murcar, until 1st July. At Burghead (Moray), the usual
drake was back from 29th September, being reported intermittently
until 10th November. An immature drake was off Filey Brigg (North Yorks) on 8th December, with an adult
drake off Rosehearty (Aberdeenshire) on 29th December and another at
Symbister (Shetland) on 31st December.

North American Black Scoter: The first-summer
male remained with up to 3,000 moulting scoter off Blackdog Rocks
(Aberdeenshire) until 6th July.

Surf Scoter: The same moulting
scoter flock that harboured the above species also continued to attract up to
five different Surf Scoters in July – two adult drakes, two first-summer drakes
and a female. Four remained throughout August. Further south, a drake was seen
off Monifieth (Angus) on 1st-6th July before relocating
off LunanBay (Angus) from 21st July
until 8th August. In North Wales, a drake was in ColwynBay
(Gwynedd) on 28th August, whilst in September, a drake flew past
Uisead Point, Machrihanish (Argyll) on 18th and a drake was off
Muckle Roe (Shetland) on 23rd-24th before relocating to
nearby Olna Firth from 30th until 3rd October.

As
the second winter period approached, a single adult drake was in LargoBay
(Fife) from 13th October, the drake in InganessBay (Orkney) was resident from 17th
October and off North Wales, at least three
drakes and a female were identified from over 10,000 Common Scoters off Llanddulas from 12th October.
New arrivals this autumn included a juvenile at Bunessan, Mull (Argyll), on 1st
October, a female off Embo Pier (Sutherland) on 27th-29th
October, a juvenile off Saunton Down (Devon) on 28th-30th
October, a juvenile off Sheringham (Norfolk) on 17th November, a
juvenile at Loch na Reivil, North Uist (Outer Hebrides), from 29th
November until at least 15th December, a juvenile male was offshore
at Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk) on 13th December and a juvenile at Broad
Haven (Pembs) from 21st December into 2013.

Off
Ireland, a female was in BrandonBay
(CountyKerry)
on 7th October, two different individuals were off CountyClare
in October and a juvenile drake was in CarnloughHarbour (CountyAntrim)
from 31st October until 7th November.

Hooded Merganser: A first-winter
female lingered by the North Wall sluice at Pagham Harbour (West Sussex) from
30th October until 17th November, whilst in Dorset, the
adult drake of unknown origin remained at Radipole Lake RSPB all year.

Black Kite: In East Yorkshire, a juvenile was photographed perching on
wires at Spurn and Kilnsea on 18th September. One flew NW over
Pegwell Bay (Kent) on 15th October, with another reported at Slapton
Sands (South Devon) on 31st October.

Rough-legged Buzzard: The first of the autumn
was noted on Unst (Shetland) on 27th September, with just 3 or 4
individuals making it into January 2013, including popular juveniles at
Haddiscoe Levels (Norfolk)
and Gibraltar Point (Lincs).

Northern Harrier: In SW Ireland, a
juvenile male was at TacumshinLake (CountyWexford) from 6th-19th
October, along with a juvenile female at the same locality from 19th
October into January 2013. Both birds roosted in Lingstown Reedbed each night.

Pallid Harrier: What may be the
first truly adult female to be identified in the UK roosted each evening on
setaside by Firsby Reservoir, Conisbrough (South Yorks) from 20th
September until 7th October.

In
Ireland, a first-summer
female flew north over Moyasta, near Kilrush (CountyClare)
on 12th August.

Red-footed Falcon: A cracking
first-summer male remained at IvyLake, Chichester GP (West Sussex), from 20th
August until 11th September, followed exceptionally by a female at
Puckaster Cove, St Lawrence (Isle of Wight),
on 24th-25th October..

Eleonora’s Falcon: Although not
twitchable, a dark morph first-summer was photographed hunting over the ragged
clifftop at Porthgwarra (Cornwall) on 11th
August – only the 7th record of this Mediterranean raptor for Britain.

Gyrfalcon: In the Outer
Hebrides, a white morph was at Bornish, South Uist (Outer
Hebrides) on 18th November, with a juvenile found dead
on Barra on 1st December and further sightings involving two
different birds on the Uists sporadically throughout the month.

In
Ireland, a white morph was
seen at Blennerville (CountyKerry) on 27th November and another near
the BurnfootRiver
(CountyDerry) on 18th December.

Baillon’s Crake: In the summer of
2012, at least 6, and perhaps as many as 11, male Baillon’s Crakes were heard
calling in apparently suitable breeding habitat at a minimum of three locations
in Britain, presumably as a
result of severe drought in Iberia.
Neighbouring Netherlands
also experienced an unprecedented influx, with between 32 and 39 territories in
eight provinces, the highest number in recent history (Ruud van Beusekom). And
as expected and predicted, one finally gave itself up and lingered at Rainham
Marshes RSPB (London) on the marsh in front of the Butts Hide from 7th-23rd
September providing the autumn highlight for many an observer, especially as it
took some several early/late visits before finally connecting.

Spotted Crake: 2012 was the year of the second national survey of
this species in the UK
with some 28 males heard calling overnight from approximately 130 surveyed
sites. The first autumn individuals began appearing from mid August, with the
first of 3 at Marazion Marsh RSPB (Cornwall) from 11th-18th
and 12 elsewhere in the country during the rest of the month (including 2 at
Birstall Meadows, Leics, on 25th, and 2 on Lower Moors Pool, St
Mary’s, Scilly, on 28th). September saw a further dozen seen,
including singles at Baron’s Haugh RSPB (Clyde) on 8th, Upton Warren
(Worcs) on 11th, Stanwick GP (Northants) on 13th-18th,
Farlington Marshes (Hants) on 30th and Greylake RSPB (Somerset) from
19th until 7th October, with 10 more in October, mostly
on Scilly and in Cornwall.

In
Ireland where Spotted Crake
is still a rare passage migrant, one was trapped and ringed at Cabragh Wetlands
(CountyTipperary) on 28th August.

American Coot: The third for Ireland was at Murloch, near Ballyconneely (CountyGalway)
from 28th November into 2013.

Common Crane: Away from the East
Anglian and Somerset breeding and reintroduced populations, one remained at
Sandwick (Orkney) until 14th July before moving to Loch of Swannay
from 1st-25th August, a pair was at Hatfield Moors (South
Yorks) on at least 30th July to 12th September, two were
at Chat Moss (Greater Manchester) on 1st-22nd August, one
flew north over Hornsea Mere (East Yorks) on 27th August, one was at
Montrose Basin (Angus) on 28th August, 3 at New Pitsligo
(Aberdeenshire) on 5th September, one at Port Charlotte, Islay
(Argyll), on 21st September and a flock of 7 in North Kent at the
end of December.

During
September and October, as many as 44 birds roosted at Horsey Mere (Norfolk), whilst a flock
of 8 flew over Rutland Water (Leics) on 26th October.

A
party of four birds arrived at TacumshinLake (CountyWexford)
on 29th October and were seen daily into the New Year, often ranging
widely between fields in the local vicinity. Their number increased to 5 in
late November.

Black-winged Stilt: Following the 3-4
pairs that attempted to breed in June, two were again at Wet Moor, Langport (Somerset) on 9th August, with another reported
at Pett Levels (East Sussex) on 15th
August. Two were then seen briefly at Cottam Pits (Notts) on 18th
September.

Black-winged Pratincole: In the Outer
Hebrides, a heavily abraded first-summer was at Loch Stiapavat, Lewis, on 2nd-6th
August – only the fourth-ever to reach Scotland and the first for the Western
Isles.

Semipalmated Plover: In the Outer
Hebrides, John Kemp located a very confiding juvenile at the Sound of Eriskay
at Glendale,
South Uist, on 7th September, the bird performing for allcomers
until 11th. It represented only the fifth record for Britain.

Dotterel: Definitely much
scarcer than it once was with breeding numbers on the high plateaux plummeting
and migrant numbers dramatically falling; in July, a female remained on the
Outer Hebrides at Bornish, South Uist, on 24th-25th, with 15
appearing in August including singles at Gamlingay (Cambs) on 17th,
Polgigga (Cornwall) on 21st-23rd, Sandwich Bay (Kent) on
24th and on Blakeney Point (Norfolk) on 25th. September
passage saw just a dozen reported, including 2 on Cleeve Hill, Cheltenham
(Gloucs) on 11th and a very confiding juvenile with a Buff-breasted
Sandpiper for company on Penninis Head, St Mary’s (Scilly) from 26th
September. Just 7 appeared in October, including a late juvenile on MerseaIsland
(Essex) on 29th October and another
at Southill (Beds) on 4th-5th November.

American Golden Plover: A first-summer was
seen intermittently near Earith Washes (Cambs) from 21st-24th
August before a major arrival, involving some 35 individuals, occurred in September,
with 15 in Ireland
and up to 10 in the Northern Isles. The Isles of Scilly attracted a single
juvenile from 8th-16th October, whilst two adults
retaining breeding plumage appeared near Anthorn (Cumbria) from 26th-29th
October. Tacumshin lake (CountyWexford) had no less than
four juveniles present on 26th October.

Semipalmated Sandpiper: In Lothian, an
adult was present at JohnMuirCountryPark, Tyninghame, from 29th-31st
July, most likely last year’s bird returning. In September, a major arrival of
juveniles took place, with singles at the Butt of Lewis (Outer Hebrides) on 3rd
& 4th, at Balgarva, South Uist (Outer Hebrides) on 4th-6th
& 17th, in Broadford Bay, Skye (Highland) on 7th-12th,
Loch Ryan (Dumfries & Galloway) on 8th-12th, at
Carnan, South Uist (Outer Hebrides) on 9th, in Tyninghame Bay
(Lothian) on 15th-20th, at Dungeness ARC Pit (Kent) on 17th
and at Ynyslas (Ceredigion) on 20th-22nd.

Western Sandpiper: A juvenile on
Tiree (Argyll) on 2nd-7th September may well have been
that which visited HoylakeBeach (Wirral) from 19th-24th
September.

Temminck’s Stint: Following a below
average spring for numbers, the first in autumn were singles at Rutland Water
(Leics) on 12th-14th July, the Long Drag Pools
(Cleveland) on 14th-19th July, the Ythan Estuary
(Aberdeenshire) on 20th July and at Cley NWT (Norfolk) on 24th
July. Just one adult followed in August (at Oare Marshes NR, Kent, on 12th
& 17th-18th) and for the second year running, we had
a winter record – a first-winter at Stockland Reach, by the Parrett Estuary at
Steart (Somerset),
from 3rd December into 2013.

Least Sandpiper: In Ireland, an adult was at Carrahane Strand (CountyKerry)
on 13th August with one flying over CapeClearIsland
(CountyCork) on 20th August.

White-rumped Sandpiper: Single adults were
at Frampton Marsh RSPB (Lincs) on 7th-25th July, Grimley
(Worcs) on 14th July, Kirkby-on-Bain GP (Lincs) on 14th
July, Havergate Island RSPB (Suffolk) on 22nd July, Snettisham RSPB
(Norfolk) on 22nd July and again on 5th & 21st
August, Brownsea Island Lagoon, Poole Harbour (Dorset) on 31st July,
Tyninghame Bay CP (Lothian) on 1st-4th August, on Tiree
(Argyll) on 6th August, at Beacon Ponds LNR, Kilnsea (East Yorks) on
10th-13th August, Ouse Washes RSPB (Cambs) on 8th-23rd
September, on the Parrett Estuary at Steart (Somerset) on 15th-22nd
September and at Hoylake Beach (Wirral) on 21st-23rd
September. In addition, at least three different birds were on the Outer
Hebrides on South Uist between 17th & 22nd September
with a juvenile reported on Breydon Water (Norfolk) on 28th September. A grey
first-winter touched down briefly at SalthouseBeach (Norfolk) before settling down at Cley NWT
Daukes Pool from 17th-31st October. A second first-year
joined the same flock of Dunlin on the scrape on 30th-31st
October whilst elsewhere, single juveniles were at Northton, Harris (Outer
Hebrides), on 18th October, Brora (Sutherland) from 28th-30th
October, inland at the Drayton Bassett Pits (Staffs) from 13th-21st
November and at LonghamLakes, Bournemouth (Dorset)
from 30th November until 9th December.

August
saw a flourish of arrivals in Ireland
with singles at Dungarvan (CountyWaterford) on 4th-6th, the Bann
Estuary (CountyDerry)
on 18th-20th, at Kilcoole NR (CountyWicklow) on 22nd-26th
and at Blennerville Marsh (CountyKerry) on 24th.
A further six individuals were recorded in September, increasing to 10 more in
October, including up to 4 juveniles at Tacumshin Lake (County Wexford) on 29th.
In November, two remained at tacumshin until 3rd, with later singles
at Rahasane Turlough (CountyGalway) on 4th and Baltimore (CountyCork)
on 11th.

Baird’s Sandpiper: A very confiding
juvenile was well-watched at WestAngleBay in
Pembrokeshire from 20th-26th August, with one briefly at MarazionBeach
(Cornwall) on
31st August. There then followed a further 7 in September with
singles at Seaton Snook (Cleveland) on 4th-12th, Birsay
(Orkney) on 8th, Titchwell RSPB (Norfolk) on 9th-11th,
Pennington Marshes (Hants) on 14th, Tresco Great Pool and Tean
(Scilly) on 16th, Esha Ness (Shetland) on 16th and
Brownsman Island, Farnes (Northumberland) on 26th. A juvenile was
reported from Northton, Harris (Outer Hebrides),
on 19th October, whilst an exceptionally late juvenile was at
Baltasound, Unst (Shetland) briefly on 26th November.

In
Ireland, an adult was at SmerwickHarbour
(CountyKerry)
on 16th-17th August with another at Kilcoole NR (CountyWicklow)
on 14th-18th September. Two juveniles were seen in
October with a very late bird at Black Rock Strand (CountyKerry)
from 30th November until 12th December.

Pectoral Sandpiper: An average
scattering of sightings in the autumn following the first 13 in July (at Cley
NWT, Norfolk, on 13th-14th; Cresswell Pond,
Northumberland, on 13th-19th; on the Earith Washes,
Cambs, on 14th & 26th-27th; Titchwell
RSPB, Norfolk, on 15th; Holland Haven Scrape, Essex, on 16th;
Greatham Creek, Teesmouth, Cleveland, on 18th-19th; at
Old hall Marshes, Essex, on 18th-22nd; near Bawtry, South
Yorks, on 25th-28th; at Loch of Strathbeg RSPB, Aberdeenshire,
on 26th-29th; Low Newton-by-the-Sea, Northumberland, on
22nd-24th; Bishop Middlham, County Durham, on 29th-31st;
Normandy Marsh, Pennington, Hants, on 29th-30th; Cliffe
Pools RSPB, Kent, on 31st), with 22 appearing in August (including 2
at Walton Hall Marshes, Essex, on 27th-28th, and 3 on the
Hayle Estuary, Cornwall, on 28th-30th) and a whopping 120
or more in September. At least 25 remained into October.

Ireland saw an additional 4
in July, 9 in August and 20 in September, including 7 in the Tacumshin Pools
area on 8th-9th.

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper: The first for
Orkney was a nice adult at Swartmill Loch from 20th-23rd
July. It turned out to be the only occurrence of the year.

Broad-billed Sandpiper: A neat juvenile
was at Seaton Snook (Cleveland) on 21st-22nd August
before refuelling briefly at Nosterfield GP (North Yorks)
on 25th.

Stilt Sandpiper: Coinciding with
the only real hot spell of weather in the summer was a moulting
breeding-plumaged adult at Low Newton-by-the-Sea (Northumberland) from 5th-9th
August. It was consorting with a small number of Common Redshanks on floodwater
north of the main Newton Pool.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper: In Cheshire, an
adult visited Frodsham Marsh from 28th-30th July,
followed by singles at Ferrybridge (Dorset) on 9th-10th
August, Warkworth Gut (Northumberland) on 18th August, St Mary’s
Airfield (Scilly) on 29th-31st August and at MarazionBeach
(Cornwall) on
30th-31st August. September then saw a major influx,
involving some 35 birds, with the majority on the Northern Isles. Two of these
(at Strathbeg RSPB) lingered into early October, whilst the last two to be
recorded involved singles at AberladyBay (Lothian) on 13th October and at Loch
Hempriggs, Wick (Caithness) on 14th
October.

The
first of the autumn in Ireland was an adult on Inishkea Island (County Mayo) on
2nd July quickly followed by singles at Tacumshin (County Wexford)
on 12th-25th August, Cape Clear Island (County Cork) on
18th & 31st August, Quilty (County Clare) on 19th
August, Kilshannig (County Kerry) on 30th-31st August and
15 or more in September. At least six lingered into early October, including
three different individuals at Bridges of Ross (CountyClare)
until 3rd.

Short-billed Dowitcher: Another Red Letter
event was the finding of this beautiful juvenile at Lodmoor RSPB in Dorset in early September. It went on to stay for just
over a month, delighting many hundreds of observers during this time, and representing
only the second British record of this primarily West Coast migrant of the USA. Even more
incredible was the finding of a second juvenile – another long-staying bird on
Tresco (Scilly) from 9th-21st September. The Lodmoor
juvenile stayed from 3rd September until 6th October.

Long-billed Dowitcher: A single adult
oversummered in the UK
moving from Ouse Fen (Cambs) on 7th-8th July to
Slimbridge WWT (Gloucs) on 21st July, where it was to remain until 12th
December. Further records included juveniles at Drumburgh Marsh (Cumbria) on 27th
September, Holy Island and Druridge Bay Pools (Northumberland) from 28th
September until 1st October, Loch Grogarry, North Uist (Outer
Hebrides) on 4th-8th October, Baleshare, North Uist
(Outer Hebrides), on 23rd-26th October and at Alkbrough
Flats, near Scunthorpe (North Lincs), from 4th October into January
2013. Additionally, an adult was at Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB (Cheshire)
from 1st-17th October, with another at Llanelli WWT (South Wales) on 28th-29th October.
In November, the Northumberland juvenile relocated to the Long Nanny Burn,
Beadnell, from 4th-18th November, whilst the Baleshare
first-winter was still present on 16th

In
Ireland, an adult visited
Blennerville Marsh (CountyKerry) on the unusually early date of 24th
August, with a juvenile at Lough Beg (CountyCork) on 7th October and at
Rosscarberry (CountyCork) on 9th
October.

Upland Sandpiper: One was heard
calling as it flew over LissagriffinLake (CountyCork) on 7th
October. It was never seen.

Marsh Sandpiper: another species
that has become very rare in recent years as a vagrant to Britain with just two
autumn records: on the River Tavy at Blaxton (South Devon) on 5th
July and on Shetland at the Pool of Virkie and Hillwell Loch on 7th
July.

Greater Yellowlegs: The long-staying
bird put in a further appearance in northern Scotland
in July at St John’s Loch, near Thurso (Caithness), on 25th-27th, before
appearing once more there on 1st August. It then relocated south
again, visiting Montrose Basin LNR (Angus) on 9th September before
returning once more to Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire) on 26th-29th
September.

Lesser Yellowlegs: An adult was at
Carness (Orkney) on 30th-31st July before autumn vagrants
appeared at South Landing, Flamborough (East Yorks) on 1st
September, KingsmillLake, Saltash (Cornwall),
from 2nd-27th September and at Curry Moor (Somerset) on 29th-30th
September. Another was discovered at Little Kilmory on Bute (Argyll) from 30th
September until 3rd October, whilst the Somerset
bird moved to Greylake RSPB on 10th-12th October and the
Cornish bird relocated to Ernesettle Creek on the Plymouth
side of the River Tamar (South Devon) from 20th
October into 2013. In addition, one was identified on HaylingIsland (Hants) on 14th
October, a juvenile visited Aldcliffe Marsh, Lancaster (Lancs), from 21st
October until 5th December and an adult returned to Alkborough Flats
NR (North Lincs) from 28th October
until late December.

In
Ireland, single juveniles
were seen at NorthBullIsland
(CountyDublin)
on 7th-23rd October and at BallinskelligsHarbour (CountyKerry)
from 13th-27th October.

Solitary Sandpiper: The rarest bird on
Scilly this October was this very confiding juvenile on Bryher from 12th-14th.
It then moved to a tiny pool opposite the Pottery on St Mary’s from 15th-17th
October.

Spotted Sandpiper: In the Northern Isles,
singles appeared at Ardvule Point, South Uist (Outer Hebrides) on 6th-19th
September and at Lower Voe (Shetland) from 30th
September until 2nd October.

In
Ireland, an adult was at
Clonea Strand, Dungarvan (CountyWaterford) on 5th August, with a juvenile
in SmerwickHarbour
(CountyKerry) from 4th-16th
September. Two juveniles were then at Moyasta (County Clare) from 13th-17th
October, with one remaining until 22nd, with further arrivals at
Silver Falls, Ballysadare (County Sligo) on 13th October and Ross
Castle, Killarney (County Kerry) on 23rd-25th October. A
single juvenile remained in PoulnasherryBay at Moyasta until 3rd
November.

Terek Sandpiper: An adult was
reported from the River Adur at Shoreham (West Sussex)
briefly on 24th July.

Red-necked Phalarope: An adult female
lingered at Coombe Hill Meadows (Gloucs) until 5th July, with
another at Backworth Pond (Northumberland) on 1st-2nd
July and a male on Minsmere Scrape (Suffolk)
on 2nd July. August saw further singles at Wheldrake Ings (North
Yorks) on 17th, Frampton Marsh RSPB (Lincs) from 18th
August until 5th September, Caerlaverock WWT (Dumfries &
Galloway) on 28th, Wath Ings (South Yorks) on 30th, Cley
NWT (Norfolk) on 30th and at Rutland Water NR (Leics) on 31st
until 1st September, with September adding single juveniles on the
River Ouse at Newhaven (East Sussex) on 18th and at Slimbridge WWT
(Gloucs) from 27th September until 3rd October. A late
juvenile was at Shearman’s Wath, West Ashby (North Lincs),
from 2nd-8th October.

Grey Phalarope: Most unusually, a
full summer-plumaged adult female was at Martin Mere WWT (Lancs) on 17th
July with an adult in almost full winter plumage at Old Moor RSPB (South Yorks) just three days later on 20th
July. At sea, one flew past Strumble Head (Pembs) on 29th July,
followed by 6 or more from scattered localities in August before a more
widespread arrival in September and October. Inland, singles were noted at Old
Moor RSPB (South Yorks) on 24th September, Carsington Water
(Derbyshire) on 17th-20th October, Farmoor Reservoirs
(Oxfordshire) on 22nd October, on a flooded field near the Yeo
Estuary at Clevedon (Somerset) on 23rd-26th
November, at Great Livermere (Suffolk)
on 2nd-3rd December, Bothal Pond (Northumberland) on 4th
December and Dunstable Sewage Works (Beds) from 12th-17th
December.

Wilson’s Phalarope: In Ireland, an
adult that had already moulted into full winter plumage visited Rosscarbery (CountyCork)
on 24th-25th Augus, with a first-winter at Kinsale Marsh
(CountyCork) on 2nd-9th
September.

Franklin’s
Gull:
In Ireland, a first-summer
roosted on the beach at Gormanstown (CountyMeath) on 16th
August.

Laughing Gull: In Aberdeenshire,
a second-winter visited fields at Rosehearty Golf Course from 19th-31st
December, as well as visiting Phingask bay, Fraserburgh, on 29th.

Sabine’s Gull: Particularly
popular was an extremely confiding first-summer at Startop’s End Reservoir,
Tring (Bucks) from 1st-5th July. This was quickly followed
by at least 7 more occurrences in July and a noticeable increase in August,
when some 50 or more were logged from coastal localities. Most unexpected was a
summer-plumaged adult near the Bill car park at Portland
(Dorset) for about an hour early morning on 30th
August. Strong winds throughout September saw no less than 85 logged from
coastal sites, with a juvenile displaced inland at Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB (Cheshire) on 20th-23rd.
Only 30 were reported in October, although a ridiculously tame juvenile on
Brighton Esplanade (East Sussex) on 21st
more than made up for the lack of numbers.

Bonaparte’s Gull: An adult was on
the Add Estuary near Lochgilphead (Argyll) from 1st-12th
August, with a regular reappearing adult at Whitburn (CountyDurham)
from 16th August until 9th September. A first-winter was identified
at Burrafirth, Unst (Shetland) on 30th September, whilst further
adults were seen at Strumble Head (Pembs) on 16th & 19th
October, off Rubha Reidh Lighthouse, Poolewe (Highland),
on 16th October and at Dawlish Warren NNR (South
Devon) from 21st October until 19th
November. The Whitburn adult reappeared at Roker Pier, Sunderland,
on 27th October, whilst an adult roosted at Boddington Reservoir
(Northants) on 1st & 3rd November.

In
Ireland, the adult returned
to LarneHarbour
(CountyAntrim) on 14th September and
remained until the year end.

Ring-billed Gull: The returning
adult was at Kinneil Lagoon, Grangemouth (Forth), from 14th August until at
least 16th October, whilst the WalpoleParkLake,
Gosport (Hants), adult reappeared for its 9th
consecutive winter from 21st October.

In
Ireland, the second-summer at Groomsport Harbour, Bangor (County Down) remained
throughout, with another at Ring, near Clonakilty (County Cork) on 22nd
July and others at Nimmo’s Pier Slipway, Galway Harbour (County Galway), from 4th
August, at Doonbeg (County Clare) (a 2nd-winter) on 20th-26th
August,

Azorean Yellow-legged Gull: At least four were
recorded in Ireland in late
August, including a 2nd-summer at Ring Marsh (CountyCork)
on 26th.

Gull-billed Tern: In the Outer
Hebrides, an adult visited Loch na Liana More, South Uist, on 25th
July, whilst in August, single adults visited the Dyfi Estuary at Ynyslas
(Ceredigion) on 2nd-6th and Tophill Low Reservoir (East Yorks) on 25th.

In
Ireland, an adult flew east
past Bloody Foreland (CountyDonegal) on 4th
August.

Caspian Tern: In Dorset, one
visited the lagoon on BrownseaIsland on 6th July, whilst a near-adult
roosted on the scrape at Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk)
briefly on 6th July. This latter individual then made a whistle-stop
tour of various inland sites, stopping off at Wissington Beet Factory Pools
(Norfolk) on 7th before settling in to a routine in the Yare Valley
from 17th-19th (visiting Strumpshaw Fen, Buckenham
Marshes, Cantley and Breydon Water each day). It was again seen off Minsmere on
25th July

Roseate Tern: In Ireland, a staggering post-breeding flock of
some 2,000 birds roosted at SandymountBeach in Dublin at the end of August.

Forster’s Tern: In Ireland, the regular adult was off Soldier’s
Point, Dundalk (CountyLouth) from 29th August until 14th
October, before moving back to its regular wintering site in GalwayHarbour
on 29th October.

White-winged Black Tern: At least four were
seen in July with adult-types at Lodmoor RSPB, Weymouth (Dorset) on 8th-10th,
Frampton Marsh RSPB (Lincs) on 25th, Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk) on 28th,
Staines Reservoirs (Surrey) on 28th-29th, Cresswell Pond
(Northumberland) on 29th, Orford Ness (Suffolk) on 29th,
Alton Water (Suffolk) on 29th-30th and at Saltholme Pools
RSPB (Cleveland) on 30th until 2nd August.

In
Ireland, an adult was off
Garretstown (CountyCork) on 4th August, with a juvenile at
Poulaphouca Reservoir, Blessington (CountyWicklow) on 29th
August. A further juvenile was in DublinBay at Sandymount Strand (CountyDublin)
on 8th September.

American Black Skimmer: In Ireland, the first for the Western Palearctic
flew south past Annagh Head on The Mullet (CountyMayo)
on 30th August

Snowy Owl: In the Outer
Hebrides, the regular summering adult male was on St Kilda from at least 16th
July to mid September, whilst in Ireland,
an adult male was on ArranmoreIsland (CountyDonegal) from 18th July until at least
10th September and an adult female on the Mullet at Termon Hill (CountyMayo)
from 14th-27th July.

European Eagle Owl: Up to 6 pairs were
known to have bred, including the popular pair in North
Lancashire.

Belted Kingfisher: In Ireland, a
juvenile male visited Lough Fee and Kylemore Abbey Ponds (County Galway) on 5th-6th
October, although scant compensation for those many that dipped the Western P’s
first-ever Eastern Kingbird. It reappeared very briefly near Clifden on 31st
October.

Alpine Swift: In East Yorkshire,
a bird in wing moult continued to linger over Bempton Cliffs RSPB until 4th
July, whilst another flew south at Spurn Point (East Yorks) on 1st
July. Far more popular was a bird in suspended post-breeding primary moult over
Beeston Bump, Sheringham (Norfolk) from 1st-6th August,
with further singles, both of which lingering long enough to be twitched, at
Newquay (Cornwall) on 17th-18th August and in the
Edinburgh Area (Lothian) on 17th-18th August.

In
Ireland, one was seen at
Brandon Head (CountyKerry) on 21st
August.

European Bee-eater: Singles were at
Porthgwarra (Cornwall) on 5th July,
St Just (Cornwall) on 8th July,
Titchfield Haven (Hants) on 28th-29th July, Fishguard
(Pembs) on 9th August, Swanage (Dorset) on 28th-30th
October and at MereKnollsCemetery,
Seaburn (CountyDurham), on 31st October. The
latter proved to be very popular, especially amongst photographers, and
continued to grace Seaburn until 12th November.

European Roller: One of the Birding
Highlights of 2012: the adult first seen in East Yorkshire for a fortnight in
late May/early June was relocated 280 miles further north at New Pitsligo
(Aberdeenshire) on 13th-15th July before moving a further
100 miles north to Finstown (Orkney) on 26th-30th July.

In
Ireland, one was at Bealad
West (CountyCork)
on 23rd-26th July, with another near Lisdonvarna (CountyClare)
on 24th September. A further late individual was found on RathlinIsland
(CountyAntrim) on 15th-16th
October.

Wryneck: The first autumn
migrants appeared in Britain
on 14th August with some 72 individuals logged by the end of the
month, a further 123 in September and just 45 in October.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: A first-winter
female that graced Scalloway gardens (Shetland) from 15th-19th
October constituted the first British record of the Scandinavian form minor.

Eastern Kingbird: The first for the
Western Palearctic involved a juvenile found on InishmoreIsland (CountyGalway)
on 5th October. Despite showing remarkably well all afternoon, much
to the satisfaction of just three Irish twitchers, it disappeared overnight. A
mighty blocker indeed !

Red-rumped Swallow: In Cheshire, one visited Frodsham Marsh briefly on 29th
August, whilst a juvenile flew south over Conwy RSPB (North
Wales) on 3rd September. At the beginning of October,
an unprecedented flock of 7 arrived at Marazion Marsh RSPB (Cornwall) on 5th, remaining there
until early next day. The flock then seemingly dispersed and broke up, with
ones and twos being seen in West Cornwall at a number of coastal sites on 6th,
7th and 8th and additional birds noted at South Milton
Ley (South Devon) on 6th, St Agnes (Scilly) on 6th, over
Plymouth (Devon) on 7th, at Seaford (East Sussex) on 7th,
in Titchwell Reedbed (Norfolk) on 15th and over Cley NWT (Norfolk)
on 17th. In November, one was seen at Blackness and South Queensferry (Lothian) on 3rd-4th.

Greater Short-toed Lark: One still remained
on LundyIsland
(North Devon) until 6th July with another summering individual on
Blakeney Point (Norfolk)
from 8th-26th July. Lundy produced yet another record on
12th September, but in a very poor autumn for the species, just two
were seen in October – at Carn Friars, St Mary’s (Scilly), on 15th-16th
and at Spurn Point (East Yorks) on 27th.

In
SE Ireland, one was at Tacumshin (CountyWexford) on 29th
September.

Shore Lark: Although the
autumn passage of this species was fairly typical (15 were seen in October),
just three birds remained to overwinter into 2013 – two in North
Norfolk at Cley and one at Gibraltar Point NNR (Lincs).

Tawny Pipit: Singles were seen
briefly in BarkingBay, Creekmouth (London)
on 19th August, Bradwell-on-Sea (Essex) on 21st August, PegwellBay
(Kent) on 9th
September, the LowerCuckmereValley
(East Sussex) on 23rd September and at Dawlish Warren NNR (South Devon) on 29th September. In October,
the first twitchable individual of the year appeared – at Beacon Lane Ponds,
Easington (East Yorks) from 11th-17th.

Blyth’s
Pipit:
Just one recorded in 2012 – on Foula (Shetland) on 24th September.

Richard’s Pipit: The first of the
autumn migrants appeared on 24th September, with birds on Fair Isle,
Shetland Mainland and on South Uist (Outer Hebrides).
By 30th, 15 birds had been logged, with a further 85 or more in October
and 22 in November. In Ireland,
one was at Tacumshin (CountyWexford) on 16th-17th
November.

Olive-backed Pipit: An excellent
autumn for this species, particularly in the Northern Isles – and occurrences
very early too. In Shetland, singles arrived on Fair Isle
and Foula on 24th September, quickly followed by 6 more around
Shetland during 26th-29th. Elsewhere, birds were noted at
St Margaret’s Hope, South Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 26th September,
Whitburn CP (County Durham) on 28th and then at many coastal
localities throughout October, no less than 55 birds being encountered (again,
mostly on the Northern Isles). A late individual was seen at Burrafirth, Unst
(Shetland), on 3rd November.

In
Ireland, one reached
Inishmore (CountyGalway) on 22nd-26th
October.

Pechora Pipit: A Shetland
speciality with four typical occurrences: on the Out Skerries on 21st
September, at Norwick, Unst, on 30th September to 2nd
October, Fair Isle on 1st-2nd October and on the Isle of
May (Fife) on 16th October.

Red-throated Pipit: There were six or
so flyover birds in October but none lingered long enough to be seen on the
deck, mostly in West Cornwall and on Scilly.
As in recent years, TacumshinLake (CountyWexford) produced a
record with one noted there on 2nd November.

American Buff-bellied Pipit: Yet another influx
of this rapidly-increasing species on the British List, with singles at Ardvule
Point, South Uist (Outer Hebrides) on 19th September, near Loch
Smerclate, South Uist, from 21st-30th September, St
Mary’s (Scilly) on 26th-29th September, on Tiree (Argyll)
on 27th September, on Fair Isle (Shetland) on 29th
September, at Scousburgh (Shetland) from 30th September until 4th
October, on Bryher (Scilly) on 9th-27th and on Foula
(Shetland) on 27th October. Most incredulously, the first of two
different individuals appeared at Queen Mother Reservoir (Berks) on 12th
December, both birds being seen together on Boxing Day.

Several
more were discovered in Ireland
with singles on CapeClearIsland
(CountyCork)
on 24th September, at SmerwickHarbour (CountyKerry) from 28th September
until 13th October, at CarrickfergusCastle (CountyAntrim) on 30th September
to 5th October and up to two at Corbett’s Beach near Tyrella (CountyDown)
from 13th November into December.

Citrine Wagtail: No longer the
rarity this species once was, first-winters were identified on North Ronaldsay
(Orkney) on 12th-14th August, Noss (Shetland) on 12th
August, Unst (Shetland) on 17th August, two on Fair Isle (Shetland)
on 14th-15th August, another on Fair Isle on 25th
August, Foula (Shetland) on 31st August, three different birds on
Scilly in September, Barns Ness (Lothian) on 20th-21st
September and on Tiree (Argyll) on 27th-29th September.
Late individuals were seen on Fair Isle on 5th October and on BardseyIsland (Gwynedd) on 10th-14th
October, taking this autumn’s tally to a very respectable 20 birds.

Bohemian Waxwing: Due to an almost
total berry crop failure in Scandinavia, an enormous arrival of almost 6,000
birds took place in Britain
from mid October, culminating in single flocks of over 1,000 birds in several
localities in Scotland
in November. By the end of the year, the majority had moved south to winter in
southern England and East Anglia, with a substantial percentage
moving even further south into Europe.

Cedar Waxwing: In Ireland, Dave Suddaby watched a first-winter
settle in his Termon garden (CountyMayo) briefly, before it
flew off north.

Black-bellied Dipper: Singles were at
Gulberwick Burn (Shetland) from 3rd-6th November and by
the River Thet in Thetford (Norfolk)
from 6th November into January 2013.

Thrush Nightingale: One was on Fair Isle (Shetland) from 24th-26th
August

Bluethroat: One was trapped
and ringed at Hollesley Marsh (Suffolk) on 19th
August, followed by 7 on the Northern Isles in September and another at Fife Ness
(Fife) on 27th September. A further
dozen reached Shetland and Orkney in October but elsewhere just one at
Easington Lagoons (East Yorks) on 23rd-25th.
In November, singles were noted on Tresco (Scilly) on 2nd and at
Gibraltar Point (Lincs) on 3rd.

Siberian Rubythroat: In Shetland, a
first-winter female lingered on Fair Isle from
23rd October until 3rd November. In recent years, this highly
sought-after Sibe has become annual, but still no Mainland record to shout
about.

Red-flanked Bluetail: A poor autumn by
recent standards with just three

located:
a first-winter trapped and ringed at Skaw Plantation, Whalsay (Shetland) on 27th
September, a first-winter in Ridley Park, Blyth (Northumberland) on 22nd
October and a particularly confiding first-winter in Stiffkey Meals *Norfolk)
on 22nd-24th October.

Stejneger’s Stonechat: a first-winter
male that had spent the best part of a month on Texel (The Netherlands)
migrated overnight to Portland Bill (Dorset) on 24th October, where
it was trapped and ringed on 26th (its last day). Analysis of the
mtDNA confirmed its maternal lineage as belonging to stejnegeri – an eastern form of Siberian Stonechat now considered a
good phylogenetic species by some authorities.

Pied Wheatear: A poor autumn for
this autumn vagrant from the east with just two records – a first-winter male
on Holy Island (Northumberland) on 14th
October and a first-winter male at Quendale (Shetland) on 23rd-24th
October.

Desert Wheatear: Unlike the last
species, a good autumn, with no less than six occurrences – a male at Splash
Point, Worthing (West Sussex), from 24th-27th October, a
female at West Lulworth (Dorset) on 27th October, a first-winter
female at Abberton Reservoir (Essex) from 28th October until 5th
November, a male at Harty Marshes (Kent) on 18th November, a female
by Rhyl Golf Course (Clwyd) from 23rd-30th November and a
female at Rattray Head (Aberdeenshire) from 2nd December into
January 2013.

White’s Thrush: Simply stunning –
one was on Inner Farne (Northumberland) on 24th September with
others just seen in flight at St Margaret’s Hope, South Ronaldsay (Orkney) on
27th September and in the CotValley, St Just (Cornwall), briefly on 8th October.
Another was then trapped – on Barra (Outer Hebrides)
on 13th October.

Swainson’s Thrush: One was on Foula
(Shetland) on 23rd September, followed by another (later trapped and
ringed) on Barra (Outer Hebrides) from 2nd-4th
October.

Black-throated Thrush: The 13th
for Fair Isle involved a first-winter on Fair Isle
on 6th October, with an unusual December record at Muness, South
Nesting (Shetland) on 1st.

Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler: On 26th
September, following a period of intense SE winds, singles were discovered at
Hartlepool Headland (Cleveland), WhitburnCoastalPark
(CountyDurham)(trapped & ringed) and at
Whinnyfold Plantation (Aberdeenshire). As expected, all had gone by the following
day. Two more were then recorded in October, with a first-winter trapped and
ringed on Fair Isle on 3rd and one seen briefly at Marsden Old
Quarry (CountyDurham) on 12th.

Lanceolated Warbler: In Shetland,
singles were on Out Skerries on 21st September, Fair Isle on 23rd
& 26th September, Whalsay on 25th September and
Sandness on 27th September, whilst another was on North
Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 26th September. In October, a
bird that was regrowing its tail remained on Fair Isle for almost a month (2nd-22nd),
with yet another on North Ronaldsay on 17th.
A return to normal for this mouse-like
locustella.

River Warbler: In Shetland, the
unusual oversummering individual remained on Fair Isle
until 11th July. Another bird arrived on Fair Isle on 11th
September, but was sadly found dead there the next day, whilst a further bird
appeared at Burwick, South Ronaldsay (Orkney),
on 24th September.

Aquatic Warbler: Singles were
trapped and ringed at South Milton Ley (South Devon) on 10th August,
Marazion Marsh RSPB (Cornwall) on 12th August, Portland Bill Bird
Observatory Garden (Dorset) on 12th August, Keysworth, Poole Harbour
(Dorset) on 18th August (3) and at Church Cove, Gunwallow (Cornwall)
on 23rd August, with additional juveniles seen in the field at Red Rocks
NR, Hoylake (Wirral) on 19th-20th August and at Steart
(Somerset) on 21st August. In September, a juvenile lingered at
Porthloo Duck Pond, St Mary’s (Scilly), from 25th-29th.

Paddyfield Warbler: One remained on Fair Isle (Shetland) until 11th July. In
September, one was trapped and ringed at Kirkton of Logie Buchan, by the Ythan
Estuary (Aberdeenshire), on 8th, with yet another on Fair Isle from
24th

September
until 1st October. An unbelievably confiding first-winter then set
up territory in a bracken-filled hollow adjacent to the coastal footpath in
Church Cove, The Lizard (Cornwall),
from 8th-13th October.

Blyth’s Reed Warbler: One was on Sanday
(Orkney) on 21st September, whilst on Shetland, an influx there
included singles at Hillsgarth, Unst, on 21st, Halligarth, Unst, on
26th-30th, Fair Isle on 22nd-29th
(with a second bird there on 29th), Foula on 24th-27th
(with a second bird there on 25th), Whalsay on 24th and
at Collafirth on 29th-30th. Elsewhere, singles were at
Bornish, South Uist (Outer Hebrides) from 28th until 2nd
October and at Barns Ness (Lothian) on 28th September, with another
surge in records in October involving a further six birds – North Ronaldsay
(Orkney) on 9th, Dale of Walls (Shetland) on 12th, St
Mary’s Island (Northumberland) on 13th, Quarff (Shetland) on 16th,
Northbay, Barra (Outer Hebrides) on 16th, Inverness (Highland) on 20th
and on the Garrison, St Mary’s (Scilly), on 30th-31st. A
first-winter, identified retrospectively from photographs, showed well at Ferry
Meadows CP near Peterborough
on 23rd November.

Records
continue to gather apace in Ireland
too with another four occurrences this October – on Inishbofin (CountyGalway)
from 5th-7th, on Tory Island (CountyDonegal) on 8th, at West
Beara (CountyCork)
on 8th and at Helvick Head (CountyWaterford)
on 15th-16th.

Marsh Warbler: On Shetland,
singles remained on Fair Isle until 1st July and Foula until 5th
July whilst singing males in suitable habitat throughout the rest of Britain
remained at a very low ebb.

In
the autumn, few records, but singles on Shetland on Fair Isle on 12th
September and Foula on 22nd September and another at St
Margaret’s-at-Cliffe (Kent)
on 9th September. Three more were reported in October with singles
at Thorntonloch (Lothian) on 3rd, on North
Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 5th and on St Agnes (Scilly) on
22nd-23rd.

Great Reed Warbler: In Shetland, one
was at Norwick, Unst, on 22nd September, with yet another – at
Rerwick, near Scousburgh, on 5th October.

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler: In Fife, one made an unprecedented stay at Kilminning, Fife
Ness, showing well from 14th October until 20th November.

Booted Warbler: Early migrants
were seen on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 16th
August and at Sumburgh Head (Shetland) on 18th-20th
August. September saw a further four birds arrive, with singles on Fair Isle on
22nd, by the seawall at Burnham Overy Marshes (Norfolk) on 23rd-26th,
at Clibberswick, Unst (Shetland) on 27th and on Bressay (Shetland)
on 29th. In October, just one was found – at Covean, St Agnes
(Scilly), on 20th.

Sykes’s Booted Warbler: In Shetland, one
lingered on Foula from 23rd-29th September, whilst on
Scilly, one showed well in inclement weather conditions near Tresco Great Pool
from 5th-6th October.

Icterine Warbler: A singing male was
inland at Cockmuir (Lothian) from 4th-8th July, whilst
the first autumn migrant appeared at Kilnsea (East Yorks)
on 12th August. From thenon until the end of the month, a further 25
birds appeared along the East Coast between Shetland and Norfolk, with just 5 more in September.

Melodious Warbler: An average showing
by recent standards with eight birds recorded in August (on Bardsey Island,
Gwynedd, on 6th; Portland Bill, Dorset, on 9th; on St
Mary’s, Scilly, on 14th & 31st; Walney Island,
Cumbria, on 19th; Beachy Head, East Sussex, on 19th-20th,
Start Point, South Devon, on 20th and on Skokholm, Pembs, on 28th)
and 11 in September (including two different birds on Bardsey Island on 8th
and singles at Sandwich Bay, Kent, on 14th and on Scilly at the end
of the month). The last to be reported during the year was on Skokholm (Pembs)
on 6th-7th October.

Western Subalpine Warbler: A male was on
Foula (Shetland) on 2nd July, whilst one of just two autumn records
involved a first-winter at the Avalanche Road Hump, Southwell (Portland,
Dorset) from 14th-26th
October. The first Subalpine ever to winter in the Uk
involved a first-winter female in St Just (Cornwall) gardens from 17th
November into January 2013.

Barred Warbler: The first of the
autumn (and year) involved a juvenile on the FarneIslands
(Northumberland) on 6th August, with a further 63 then logged before
the end of the month, mostly on Shetland and Orkney. At least 110 then appeared
in September and a further 70 in October

In
Ireland, where the species
remains very scarce, a juvenile was on ArranmoreIsland (CountyDonegal)
on 2nd September.

AsiaticDesert Warbler: In East Kent, one
was photographed at Samphire Hoe CP, Dover,
early morning on 18th November. Despite being alerted by the
photographer shortly later, the bird was never seen again.

Greenish Warbler: Following singles
on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 14th-15th August and Out
Skerries (Shetland) on 18th August, three arrived along the
Northumberland coastline in late August at Tynemouth on 26th, St
Mary’s Wetland on 26th-28th and on Inner Farne on 26th-28th
and others elsewhere at Kilnsea (East Yorks) on 26th, Blakeney Point
(Norfolk) on 26th-28th, Gibraltar Point (Lincs) on 28th
and at Great Ormes Head (Conwy) on 29th. September saw a further
flourish of records with singles on Skomer Island (Pembs) on 8th-12th,
at Norwick, Unst (Shetland), on 23rd-24th, at East Hills,
Wells (Norfolk), on 24th-26th, in Filey NCCP (North
Yorks) on 25th-26th, at Burniston (North Yorks) on 25th-26th,
Flamborough Head Old fall Plantation (East Yorks) on 26th, Kilnsea
(East Yorks) on 26th-29th and at St Margaret’s-at-Cliffe
(Kent) on 29th-30th.

In
Ireland, singles were
discovered at Old Head of Kinsale (CountyCork) on 12th October and
at Three Castles Head (CountyCork) on 17th
October.

Arctic Warbler: Singles were noted
on Fair Isle (Shetland) on 19th-21st, 29thAugust
to 5th September, 21st-23rd September and 27th
September, Halligarth, Unst (Shetland), on 1st-2nd
September, Flamborough Head Old fall Plantation (East Yorks) on 1st-2nd
September, Holy Island (Northumberland) on 26th-29th
September, Fair Isle again on 2nd October, Ronas Voe (Shetland) on
21st October and at Brancaster Staithe (Norfolk) on 24th-25th
October. An exceptionally late bird was then seen at Helendale, Lerwick
(Shetland), on 6th-10th November. An exceptional year
involving 10 records.

Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: Well, what can one
say. Totally unexpected and off the scale. The first for the Western Palearctic
was seen and photographed in Pete & Debby Saunders’ back garden in
Southwell, Portland (Dorset)
on 22nd October, showing well up until dusk. Just a limited number
of local observers connected, the bird never to be seen again.

Pallas’s Leaf Warbler: Compared to the
number of Arctic Warblers recorded in autumn 2013, this was a poor year for
this species. Following the arrival of the first singles in Angus and
Aberdeenshire on 13th October, one was located in a Lancashire back garden on 15th-20th.
A further 15 were then discovered along the East Coast from Northumberland to Kent between 15th and 30th,
whilst another strayed far inland to Hatfield Moors (South
Yorks) on 24th. Just three more appeared in November –
on Rousay (Orkney) on 10th, Portland Bill (Dorset) on 14th
and at Dungeness (Kent) on 14th-17th.

Like
most vagrant warblers, this species is rare in Ireland,
so one at Knockadoon Head (CountyCork) on 27th
October was Headline News.

Yellow-browed Warbler: Singles that
arrived at Holme NOA (Norfolk) and North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 21st September
were precursors of a major autumn influx, involving at least 450 birds by the
end of the month and including over 150 on 22nd September alone. At
least 200 more arrived in October, with a few filtering west into Ireland.

Hume’s Leaf Warbler: Singles were
identified on a combination of call and plumage characteristics at Cambois
(Northumberland) on 11th-12th October, Norwick, Unst
(Shetland), on 16th-24th October, on Fair Isle on 17th-18th
October, in Belle Tout Wood, Beachy Head (East Sussex),
from 30th October until 4th November

Radde’s Warbler: Slightly later
than usual, the first was trapped and ringed at Spurn Point (East
Yorks) on 11th October. This was followed by a bird on BardseyIsland
(Gwynedd) on 14th and 1-2 birds at Kilminning Rose Patch, Fife Ness
(Fife) from 18th-21st.
Further singles then appeared at LunanBay (Angus) on 18th-21st,
on St Agnes (Scilly), on 22nd-23rd, on the FarneIslands
(Northumberland) on 22nd-25th and trapped and ringed at
Hollesley RSPB (Suffolk)
on 30th October.

Dusky Warbler: In Shetland,
singles were seen at Symbister, Whalsay, on 12th October, Swinister
Burn, Sandwick, on 19th and at Sumburgh Head Quarry on 20th,
whilst elsewhere, an above average showing included singles at Reculver Towers
(Kent) on 22nd, Hartlepool Headland (Cleveland) on 22nd, Whitburn
CP (County Durham) on 23rd-28th, St Mary’s Island Wetland
(Northumberland) on 23rd, Flamborough Head (East Yorks) on 25th,
Long Nab, Burniston (North Yorks) on 25th, Holy Island
(Northumberland) on 25th-26th and at Lynford Arboretum
(Norfolk) for just over an hour on 29th. Several more appeared in
November, with singles at PortlandCastle (Dorset) on 13th-14th,
West Bexington (Dorset) on 30th and at Swanvale NR, Swanpool (Cornwall) from 23rd
November until 5th December. On the Isles of Scilly, one
overwintered in Lower Moors, St Mary’s, being noted from 10th
December into the New Year.

In
Ireland, one was on
Inishmore (CountyGalway) (that island
again !) from 19th-24th October.

Western Bonelli’s Warbler: In Orkney, one was
seen sporadically on North Ronaldsay in the HollandHouseGarden from 1st-30th
July, whilst on the Isles of Scilly, one was photographed on Bryher on 26th
August. On this same archipelago, one was on the Garrison, St Mary’s, on 20th-21st
September, with yet another on St Martin’s
from 1st-6th October.

Iberian Chiffchaff: In North Somerset, the singing male remained at Porlock
until early August.

Red-breasted Flycatcher: The first autumn
arrival was that on Whalsay (Shetland) on 15th September, a
precursor for 50 or more before the end of that month. North Norfolk attracted
6 or more, with further birds widely scattered between Shetland, Orkney, the Outer Hebrides and Scilly. At least 75 more were
discovered in October, with a further seven recorded in Ireland. Four
very late birds occurred on Scilly in early November, with the last in CotValley (Cornwall) from 6th-8th
November. This was eclipsed somewhat however, by an even later individual in NanquidnoValley,
St Just (Cornwall),
on 11th-13th December.

Penduline Tit: Late October
annually produces a crop of Penduline Tit occurrences and this year was no
exception, with an influx of up to 15 birds. An adult male was at Dungeness ARC
(Kent) on 15th & 28th October, with an immature on
Tresco Great Pool (Scilly) from 22nd-27th October,
another at Oare Marshes NR, Faversham (Kent), on 30th-31st
October, the ARC Pit male again on 5th & 13th
November, up to four at Grove Ferry, Stodmarsh NNR (Kent) from 6th-13th
November, two juveniles at Marston Vale Millenium Park (Beds) on 10th
November, these latter two at Ouse Fen (Cambs) on 2nd-13th
December and later singles in Pegwell bay (Kent) on 6th December and
Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk) on 8th December.

Golden Oriole: Up to four birds
were eventually seen at Lakenheath Fen RSPB (Suffolk) but successful breeding was not
considered to have taken place because of the poor weather. Autumn migrants are
rarely encountered in the UK so singles at Collister (Shetland) on 19th
August and North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 20th August were noteworthy,
as well as one at Ollaberry (Shetland) on 10th September.

Red-backed Shrike: Present in at
least one breeding site during the summer whilst the first of autumn included a
female at East Holton (Dorset) on 6th July and adult males at East
Chevington (Northumberland) on 6th-15th July, LakeFarmCountryPark,
Hayes (Middlesex), on 11th-22nd July and at Cheriton
(Hants) on 26th July. August was typically better for this species with
a juvenile on Blakeney Point (Norfolk) on 12th, singles on the Isle
of May (Fife) on 17th-18th, Sammy’s Point, Easington
(East Yorks) on 18th, Land’s End Cycle Track (Cornwall) on 19th-20th,
Great Ormes Head (Conwy) on 26th, Salthouse (Norfolk) on 31st
and Beachy Head (East Sussex) on 31st and a further 15 on the
Northern Isles during the month. September saw just 22 more arrive, with 10
lingering into October. A very late first-year was trapped and ringed in Weybourne
(Norfolk) on 9th
November.

In
Ireland by comparison, just one juvenile in August at Hook Head (County
Wexford) on 18th-19th and three more in October.

Isabelline Shrike: In Shetland, an
early first-winter was at Hestingsgot, near Toab, from 27th September until 5th
October, with an adult male of the form isabellinus
at Portland Bill (Dorset) from 23rd-27th October.

Woodchat Shrike: On Anglesey, a first-summer male visited Llanfairynghornwy,
near Cemlyn, on 12th July, whilst in August, a first-summer male was
in residence at Wyke Regis Bridging Camp (Dorset) from 18th until 1st
September and a juvenile was on Tresco (Scilly) on 20th.

In
Ireland, a juvenile was on InishmoreIsland
(CountyGalway) from 10th-20th
October.

Lesser Grey Shrike: On the Isles of
Scilly, an adult was on the Garrison, St Mary’s, on 22nd August,
whilst on Shetland, one was at Aithbank, Fetlar, on 14th September.

Great Grey Shrike: The first autumn
migrants appeared on the East Coast during 25th-27th
September, with a further 40 or so being noted in October.

House Crow: In Ireland, the long-staying adult survived in Cobh
(CountyCork) until at least 21st
July.

Rose-coloured Starling: At the height of
summer in July, single adults were seen at Ynyslas (Ceredigion) on 2nd-9th,
St Martin’s (Scilly) on 3rd and at Newbiggin (Northumberland) on 5th,
whilst in August, adults were at Marbhig, Lewis (Outer Hebrides) on 6th,
Hillswick (Shetland) on 6th, Wick (Caithness) on 9th,
Gulberwick (Shetland) on 11th, Perranporth (Cornwall) on 24th
and at Llansantffraed (Wales) from 26th until 2nd
September. In September, an adult was at St Agnes (Cornwall) on 14th-15th
followed by juveniles at Samphire Hoe CP (Kent) on 20th-21st,
Cape Cornwall (Cornwall) on 21st, St Martin’s (Scilly) on 21st-28th,
Cunningsburgh (Shetland) on 22nd, St Mary’s (Scilly) on 24th-30th,
Holme & Titchwell (Norfolk) on 25th-26th, Easington
(East Yorks) on 26th and Hayling Island (Hants) on 28th-29th.
Another wave of immigrants in October with single juveniles on St Mary’s and on
St Martin’s (Scilly) from 1st-6th (the latter until 14th),
St Agnes (Scilly) on 22nd-24th, Haverfordwest (Pembs) on
19th-20th, Cape Cornwall Golf Course (Cornwall) on 22nd,
Strumble Head (Pembs) on 28th and the Walmsley Sanctuary, Wadebridge
(Cornwall) on 30th. November saw juveniles at Northrepps (Norfolk) on 17th, Port Isaac (Cornwall)
on 17th-29th and at St Columb Major (Cornwall) on 26th-27th.
At the end of the year, a first-winter frequented ExminsterVillage (South
Devon) from 12th December into 2013.

In
Ireland, single adults were
near Wicklow (CountyWicklow) again on 4th July, at Malin Beg (CountyDonegal)
on 6th July and at Dungarvan (CountyWaterford) on 19th-24th
July, with further juveniles in autumn on ArranmoreIsland (CountyDonegal) on 3rd October and
at Knockadoon Head (CountyCork) on 28th
October.

Spanish Sparrow: A presumably ship-assisted
male was present at Landguard NR (Suffolk)
from at least 24th August until 27th September – the
first record for the county. It was very intermittent in its appearances, only
occasionally being located in the pre-roost gathering of House Sparrows on the
common. What may have been last year’s Calshot male was visiting a garden
feeder in Newchurch (Isle of Wight) from 4th-6th
November.

Red-eyed Vireo: The first for
Shetland and one of the earliest British records ever was a first-winter in
Valyie garden, Norwick, Unst, from 12th-15th September.

European Serin: In Suffolk, a long-staying but very erratic female remained
at landguard NR until 13th July, whilst an equally elusive singing
male was in the Dungeness Area (Kent) from 10th-15th July
and a flyover in Kent
at Cheriton on 25th July. Much scarcer in autumn, with perhaps 14
seen briefly in October and 4 in November.

Scandinavian Arctic Redpoll: Following an
unseasonal bird at St Abb’s Head (Lothian) on 1st July, one was
trapped and ringed on Fair Isle (Shetland) on
14th July.

Hornemann’s Arctic Redpoll: Coinciding with a
major influx of Greenland and Northwestern
Redpolls came an unprecedented influx of Hornemanni,
the first of which arrived on Unst at Norwick on 28th September.
Although this bird remained until 11th October, up to 10 more were
discovered on Unst and neighbouring islands throughout the rest of the month.
Elsewhere, at least two frequented North Ronaldsay (Orkney) during 17th-22nd
October, whilst 6 or more were considered to have passed through Port Nis, at
the extreme NW tip of Lewis (Outer Hebrides)
between 14th & 26th October. And at last a
first-winter finally reached the Mainland – but frustratingly got misidentified
throughout much of its stay at Holkham Dunes (Norfolk) on 26th-27th
October. All was not lost though as in December, an extremely confiding and
popular first-winter inhabited AldeburghBeach (Suffolk) from 8th-19th
December.

Common Rosefinch: The first
juveniles of the autumn appeared on the Northern Isles from 14th
August, with 9 or more recorded there by the months end. Elsewhere, singles
were on Skokholm (Pembs) on 28th August, Holme Dunes (Norfolk) on 30th
August. September saw an arrival of a further 30, few of which being twitchable
apart from a juvenile at Whitburn CP (County Durham) on 27th-29th.
October proved no better, with 15 reported, mostly from Shetland.

In
Ireland, singles visited Arranmore Island (County Donegal) on 17th
August and Copeland Island (County Down) on 8th September, with 5 or
so reaching the West Coast of Ireland in October.

Myrtle Warbler: Two reached Ireland in October – on DurseyIsland (CountyCork) on 3rd-6th
and on InishmoreIsland
(CountyGalway) on 6th.

Magnolia Warbler: The second for Britain but a first for Scotland involved a first-winter male on Fair Isle (Shetland) on the evening of 23rd
September; it was admired by a lucky 38 observers and was never seen again.

Blackpoll Warbler: On the Isles of
Scilly, singles reached Bryher from 11th-18th October and
near Telegraph, St Mary’s, on 28th-29th October.

In
Ireland, one visited
Inishmore (CountyGalway) on 7th October, with the fourth of
the autumn in Dave Suddaby’s Termon garden on The Mullet (CountyMayo)
on 9th November.

Ortolan Bunting: Another passage
migrant declining in numbers at an alarming rate. Just two were recorded in
August (at Spurn Point, East Yorks, on 18th and on North Ronaldsay,
Orkney, on 20th-24th), 16 in September (mainly in SW
Britain, with 4 on Scilly) and just two in October (on St Mary’s, Scilly, on 1st-6th
and in Housel Bay, Lizard, Cornwall, on 10th).

In
Ireland, singles were on InishbofinIsland
(CountyGalway)
on 10th-12th September, at Skibbereen (CountyCork)
on 20th September, Knockadoon Head (CountyCork) on 29th September,
Lissagriffin (CountyCork) on 1st-3rd October and at
Mizen Head (CountyCork) on 4th
October.

Chestnut-eared Bunting: The second for Britain
(and Shetland) involved a first-winter female near the Pool of Virkie at
Eastshore from 23rd-25th October.

Rustic
Bunting: Another poor autumn for this sharply declining Scandinavian breeder,
with just two recorded in autumn – on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 5th
October and Marsden Hall Quarry (CountyDurham) on 23rd-24th
October.

Little Bunting: Following the
first autumn arrival on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 23rd September,
at least 12 arrived on Shetland and Orkney during 24th-29th
and singles elsewhere at Gun Hill (Norfolk) on 24th, South Gare
(Cleveland) on 24th-26th, Cresswell (Northumberland) on
25th, Bardsey Island (Gwynedd) on 26th, Portland Bill
(Dorset) on 27th, Emlin Moor (South Yorks) on 29th and
Portland Bill (Dorset) on 6th October. Fifteen more then appeared in
the Northern Isles in the first two weeks of October, with others elsewhere at
South Shields (County Durham) on 13th, Barra (Outer Hebrides) on 16th,
on the Farne Islands (Northumberland) on 22nd-25th,
Bardsey Island (Gwynedd) on 23rd, South Gare, Redcar (Cleveland) on
23rd-24th, on Lundy Island (Devon) on 24th, at
Burnham Overy Dunes (Norfolk) on 25th-27th, Easington
(East Yorks) on 28th and at Hawling (Gloucs) on 30th. A
few more appeared in November, including singles at Sedgeletch SF (CountyDurham)
on 2nd-8th and near Skeffling (East Yorks) on 10th,
with two with Reed Buntings at Rosenannon Downs, near Wadebridge (Cornwall), on 28th-30th.
The last of the year was at East Burrafirth
(Shetland) on 7th-10th December.

Black-headed Bunting: an adult male was
on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) from 5th-13th
August.

Bobolink: In Shetland, a
first-winter was at Brake, just north of Hillwell, on 28th October.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak: On the Isles of
Scilly, a first-winter male visited garden feeders in RamsValley,
Hugh Town, from 18th-29th December.

About Me

I have been birding since 1969 but became obsessed with 'twitching' in 1974 and haven't looked back since. Have driven over 1.3 million miles in pursuit of rare birds in the UK, where to date I have recorded 588 species in Britain and Ireland. I also have a fascination for the Birds of the Western Palearctic, where I have currently recorded 880 of the 1,064 species ever recorded. I am widely travelled in North America, as well as in Africa and Asia, and have written at least 29 books on my chosen subject, including best-sellers ''Ultimate Site Guide to Scarcer British Birds' and 'Rare Birds in Britain 1800-1990'. Established the UK400 Club in 1981 to cater for the most obsessive of the British birding fraternity and now concentrate on online publishing, via the www.uk400clubonline.co.uk website. Record Birding achievements include recording 386 species in Britain & Ireland in 1996 and 627+ in the Western Palearctic in 2008